Reds Offense Overpowers Aces: Team Improves to 5-1 with Doubleheader Sweep

Matt Sommo

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - The New Providence Reds continued their hot start to the season last Sunday sweeping a doubleheader from the East Coast Aces by scores of 11-1 and 13-5 to improve to 5-1 on the season.

Game one was scoreless through the first two innings until the Reds erupted for five runs in the third inning.

Shortstop Matt Nesto got the Reds on the board with a two-run single to left field to score Charlie Glunk and Andrew Kowantz. Nick Sommo then followed with a single and right fielder Luca Vitale drove in Nesto and Sommo with a two-run triple. Pitcher Michael Pierce followed with an RBI single.

The Reds added three more runs in the 4th inning on RBI doubles from Glunk, Kowantz and Rahul Oza.

The Reds would continue the onslaught in the 5th inning, adding two more runs on another RBI hit by Pierce and an RBI double by Jack Connor.

Kowantz added an RBI single in the 6th to close out the scoring for the Reds. Pierce had a strong game on the mound, holding the Aces hit-less until two outs in the 4th. He ended up only allowing three hits while striking out four and walking none, to pick up his third win of the season.

The Reds picked up where they left off in game two, scoring five runs in the first on RBI doubles from Vitale and Pierce and RBI singles by Connor, Robert Grasso and Eric Martin.

The Reds would plate one run in each the 2nd and 3rd innings on an RBI ground out by Nesto and an RBI single by Martin.

After the Reds built a 7-0 lead the Aces chipped away to make things 7-5. With the score 7-5 and the tying runs on base in the bottom of the 4th inning, the Aces batter hit a ground ball to third baseman Rob Grasso who then fired home to get the Aces runner out at the plate for the second out of the inning, thus ending the Aces rally. That was as close as the Aces would get, as the Reds tacked on three runs in both the 4th and 6th innings to put the game out of reach and seal the doubleheader sweep.

On the mound in game two, Adam Silveira tossed six strong innings while scattering eight hits, allowing four earned runs while striking out three batters in picking up his 2nd win of the season. Vitale pitched a scoreless 7th inning for the Reds.

The Reds return to action Sunday to host, Caciques de Venezuela in a doubleheader with the first game starting at 1pm at Oakwood Park in New Providence. Caciques de Venezuela features former New York Met fan favorite Endy Chavez on their roster. Chavez is best known for his spectacular catch, robbing Hall of Famer Scott Rolen of a home run in Game 7 of the 2006 National League Championship Series.

The Reds are managed by Matt Sommo and Sal Nesto, both of New Providence. This season, the Reds are once again sponsored by their Grand Slam Sponsor, Harlee's Tap & Grillie located at 1260 Springfield Ave. in New Providence.

Also back sponsoring the Reds this summer is Taylor Rental Center/Party With Us Rentals located at 284 Springfield Ave. in Berkeley Heights; now in their 55th year. The Reds are also welcoming back two loyal sponsors in MGL Printing Solutions located at 154 South Street in New Providence and Orangetheory Fitness of New Providence, located in the Village Shopping Center at 1260 Springfield Ave., #11.

As a member of the New Jersey Amateur Baseball League (NJABL) the Reds were the Metal Division Champions in 2013 and 2014 and the Intermediate Wood Champions in 2016, before capturing the Summer South Championship in 2021 and again in 2022.

For more information on the New Providence Reds, visit their website and "like" their page on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @NewProvReds

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