Vellano Brothers was just 4 pitches into their huge semi-final showdown versus the league champs from Pine Bush-American LL, and had to deal with a horrific, season ending arm injury to one of their leaders….Nick Donato, better known as “Nicky D”…..as the entire park awaited medical assistance for Vellano’s fallen star, the remaining 11 VB players went under a shady tree….they said a quick prayer for Nick’s health and then began their “plan of attack”, when play would be resumed.
The Vellano “family” dug down and pulled out a gritty, hard fought 3-2 win that was played in 8 innings, in front of a capacity crowd at Pine Bush LL!!
Vellano found themselves down 1-0 right from the top of the 1st inning, and the score remained that way until 2 outs in the bottom of the 3rd…Ben Contento drew a 2-out walk and then Mike Mueller hit a HUGE 2-run HR and VB claimed the lead, 2-1. Pine Bush-American had an answer in the top of the 5th as they hit a big, game tying double. Then these two “heavyweights” continued to slug it out, as both defenses made big play after big play, continually thwarting the opposing teams rallies……but, as Vellano came in to hit in the bottom of the 8th inning, enter Ben Contento….Ben hit the first pitch of the inning and it was a laser beam heading right for a group of “Colonie Nation” fans in the left field stands….the next thing you knew, that ball was GONE, and VB wins with Ben’s walk off HR!!!
After the kids were done celebrating, they quickly awaited a phone call from their fallen star….Nicky D was chanting “I’m fired up, you fired up?!” on the phone to coach Therien moments after, then coach mentioned “These 11 boys made a commitment to play hard for Nicky D, they gutted out a HUGE win against a very good team” This Pine Bush team had only 1 loss all season long, they had only given up 1.4 runs per game all season…so Vellano’s accomplishment minus Nicky D was very big!!!
Ben Contento went the 1st 5 innings on the hill tonight. Ben scattered 3 hits and struck out 10 batters….then 11 yr old all-star Jim Morrison came in and tossed his best 3 innings of the year, as Jim gave up only 1 hit and had 3 K’s as he earned the win on the mound!!
Now it’s on to the City and County Finals, the 1st pitch is scheduled for 7:32pm Tuesday night at Pine Bush LL. As always, good luck Vellano!!
ELITE 50-WIN CLUB
Tonight’s win puts 4 more VB players on the elite 50 win club……Mike Mueller, Kevin Shaw, Max Westfall and Philip Adikes all won their 50th game as a Vellano Brother!! Congrats boys, do you have 1 more win in you?? 
My heart aches for Nick. We were a lucky team to have a warrior like Nick going out game after game. Watching Nick take a walk, shorten up his swing when we needed a hit, and throw every pitch with 100% effort made me a life long fan of Nicky D.
This was a really lousy night, but it could have been alot worse. The other 11 boys could have mailed it in, and nobody would have blamed them.
Instead there was a focus, and a team effort that went from one end of the bench to the other.
Nick, the entire Adikes Family is praying hard for a safe surgery and a full recovery. You have lots of games in your future, and we hope to be cheering you on for years to come.
You have been a strong leader, and good example for both of my sons. Thanks for all 3 years of it!
July 6, 2009 @ 11:39 pmWhat a game last night! I couldn’t help but think of Nick throughout the game and the entire night last night. It’s always such a pleasure watching him play. My hope is that the team can come up with a winning tournament ball for him tonight. Thoughts and prayers with Nick for a quick and complete recovery!
Go Vellano!
July 7, 2009 @ 11:14 amCongratulations to the Vellano team and the coaches. You guys worked so hard last night and really showed your true colors for your friend, Nicky D. I know I speak for all of your parents and friends…we were so proud of you!
And to Nicky D…
You might have missed most of the game last night, but you left angels in the outfield and all over the place. Not an inning went by that we didn’t pray for YOU! You were there in spirit and now it’s your turn to take it easy.
Hang in there and take care of that arm. You have lots more baseball down the road….
July 7, 2009 @ 2:33 pmNick,been thinking of you all day at work! Mike gets the ball tonight,lets do this Vellano!
July 7, 2009 @ 4:18 pmCongratulations on that win last night. Again you players did a wonderful job in spite of the injury to Nicky. Greg, your coaching, once again was top notch.
We’ll keep you in our prayers Nick!!
July 7, 2009 @ 8:57 pm