High School Baseball

BY ADAM RONIS

Two of the best pitchers on Long Island hooked up today and neither disappointed. Patchogue-Medford righthander Marcus Stroman and Islip righthander Robert Rogers have contrasting styles, but both work.

Stroman has an overpowering fastball, while Rogers is more of a groundball pitcher. Stroman went five innings, allowed one hit, walked one and struck out nine in a 2-0 win at home in non-league against the defending Class A state champions. Rogers went the distance allowing two hits, two walks and struck out three.

Dom Dipresso hit a two-run homer to leftfield in the bottom of the fourth for the only runs of the game. Rogers induced 15 ground ball outs.

Meanwhile, Stroman relied on the heater. He said he hopes to lower his pitch count more this season and not always look for the strikeout, but when the other team can't catch up to the fastball, that's just the way it is.

PM has lost in the county championship the last two seasons. With most of the team back, the Raiders hope to make it back and win this time. Islip has the majority of its team back, including its top three starting pitchers.

Islip will host Bellport on Saturday at 2 p.m. The alumni game will start at 10 a.m. followed by the ring ceremony. For more on the Islip-PM game, check tomorrow's Newsday for the story.