Frankie Gianutsos’ Hustle Fuels East End Aviators’ Late 6-5 Rally

East End Aviators pulled away late for a 6-5 victory over Eastern A’s10u 65’ 10U on Thursday at Lasorda Legacy Park, thanks to a steady, late charge and timely baserunning. The game was knotted at 5-5 heading into the top of the fifth when an error allowed the Aviators to push the decisive run across.

The Aviators battled back after trailing 5-1 in the third, chipping away and staying aggressive on the bases. Among East End’s contributors, Frankie Gianutsos recorded one of the team’s hits and was one of the players who swiped multiple bases — a mechanics-and-hustle performance that helped create pressure and extra opportunities during the comeback.

East End opened the scoring in the first inning when a wild pitch allowed a run to score. Eastern A’s responded in the bottom of the first: JJ L singled up the middle, Colin B followed with a single, and an East End error chased home a run to give Eastern A’s the early lead.

Eastern A’s added another in the second when Matthew M tagged up to score. A groundout by JJ L in the bottom of the third extended Eastern A’s advantage to 5-1 and looked to put them in control.

But East End rallied. In the top of the fifth the Aviators took the lead when #4 singled down the left-field line and an error on the play produced the tying and go-ahead runs.

On the mound for Eastern A’s, JJ L worked four innings, surrendering four hits and four runs (three earned), striking out three and issuing two walks. The East End starter, identified as #6, threw six innings and allowed six hits and five runs (four earned) while striking out 11 and issuing no walks — a strong outing that kept the Aviators in striking distance until the late surge.

At the plate for Eastern A’s, JJ L paced the offense with two RBIs, going 1-for-3 from the three-hole. Matthew M, JJ L, Colin B, Yani K, Tony B, and Griffin K each recorded a hit for Eastern A’s, while Luca F and Griffin K stood out on the bases with multiple steals as Eastern A’s stole seven bases in the contest.

East End’s offense was balanced across the lineup. Frankie Gianutsos, #4, #6, #22, #16, and #10 each collected one hit for the Aviators, and #6 and #16 each drove in a run. A group effort on the basepaths saw #12, Frankie Gianutsos, #4, #22, and #16 each record multiple steals — East End finished with 12 stolen bases in the game.

It was a tight, emotional game that swung late, with hustle on the bases and a costly error deciding the outcome. Eastern A’s10u 65’ 10U will head to Team Steel MVP Black 10U for their next game on Tuesday.