Frankie Gianutsos Sets the Tone as NS Giants Mejia 9U Outslug Bellport Blue Claws, 17-10
What a night at Diamond in the Pines 1 (Coram). NS Giants Mejia 9U poured on the offense and closed strong in a 17-10 win over Bellport Blue Claws 9U, collecting 16 hits and setting the pace from the first pitch.
Starter Frankie Gianutsos took the ball and set an early tone, striking out four over two innings. Even when Bellport applied pressure, Frankie Gianutsos kept attacking the zone, competing every pitch and handing the game to the bullpen with the Giants right in the fight. At the plate, Frankie Gianutsos showed discipline all evening, drawing three walks to spark innings and keep the Blue Claws on their heels.
NS Giants Mejia 9U opened the scoring in the top of the first with a pair of timely singles, capped by a two-run knock from Matteo C. Bellport answered in the bottom of the second when Jace M lined a single down the left-field line to pull the game even at 3-3.
The Giants flipped the game in the third. A five-run burst on five hits made it 8-3, with the biggest swing coming from Phillip (PJ) R, whose crisp single plated two. From there, the offense kept coming in waves.
The decisive blow arrived in the sixth, when NS Giants Mejia 9U put up six runs on four hits. Dylan J smashed a triple to drive in two, Thomas W punched an RBI single, Dylan O added another run-scoring single, and Ryan M delivered an RBI single before tagging and scoring later in the frame to cap a relentless rally.
On the mound, Ryan M handled 3 1/3 innings of relief, striking out five while allowing five hits and five runs (four earned) with one walk. Before that, Frankie Gianutsos battled through two innings, yielding three hits and five runs, and fanning four against four walks. For Bellport, Chase M went two innings, giving up four hits and three runs with three strikeouts and three walks.
It was a true team effort at the plate: NS Giants Mejia 9U finished with 16 hits. Matteo C drove in four and went 2-for-5 out of the three-hole. Zayn M and Ryan M each tallied three hits, while Jameson S, Dylan O, and Dylan J all recorded multi-hit games. Showing patience, the Giants drew seven walks—paced by Frankie Gianutsos with three—and Ryan M swiped two bags to keep pressure on the bases.
For Bellport, Cole C delivered three RBIs while going 1-for-4. Gavin V, batting eighth, led the Blue Claws with a 2-for-2 night, and Lucas C drew two walks as Bellport matched the Giants with seven free passes.
NS Giants Mejia 9U now turn the page and hit the road to face Connetquot Chiefs 9U on Sunday—momentum in hand and confidence growing after a complete, high-energy win keyed by Frankie Gianutsos on the hill and on base.