It was the grand finale. A field four hours away from home was where the Massapequa Chiefs would end their already magical season. With nothing but butterflies in the players' stomach, and a state cham­pionship on their minds, it was time for the Chiefs to try to make one last stand. The first game for Massapequa as they began the fight for the state championship this weekend was nothing out of the ordinary. A team that had relied on their superstar senior, Mike Mandarino, all year saw him for the last time in a Chief's uniform performing as well as expected. He pitched a four-hit complete game shut out in a winning effort against Hilton. With offense support coming from Greg Muller, Anthony Abbruzino and Chris "Theo", Massapequa went on to the final game with confidence.

Massapequa's powerhouse senior pitcher Mike Mandarino at work on the mound. Photo by Ray NelsonBut the first game success was something that did not carry over for the Chiefs. Pitching depth has been a concern all year for this team and although Brian Ed­wards pitched well for Massapequa in the Long Island Championship, his best stuff wasn't there in the final game of the state championship. And, although he gave up only one run, it was evident that Mamaroneck was zoned into whatever the southpaw had to offer.

The Massapequa Chiefs revel in their win as champions last week. After a pitching change in the fourth inning, the Chiefs brought in the senior, Drew Bergman to get the game under control. It became apparent that maybe this just wasn't the Chiefs' day, however. Bergman let up three earned runs, and by the time the junior Ryan Scarsbrick, entered the game the score was 4-0. Massapequa would go on to leave the inning down 6-0. With only a more-than-unlikely comeback left for the Chiefs, they continued to fight.

In the seventh inning, the improbable almost hap­pened. The Chiefs, entering the bottom of the seventh down 6-0, came to life. The team tried to squeeze out the last piece of energy they had left before coming up just a little short. With one out, down three, and two runners on, it was one of the Chiefs most consistent hitters, Mike Mauri, who tried to get one final single to bring up Manderino and possibly complete the comeback. But it was a final 6-4-3 double play that ended the game for the Chiefs.

Although the Chiefs went down in states, the season was beyond successful. Despite the fact that Manda­rino is leaving next year, the Chiefs went to states with five starting juniors who are talented and now have the playoff experience. The team knows next year that they will have all the tools to win the next year and finally attain what they worked so hard to get this year- a state championship.