On a beautiful Mother’s Day afternoon at Randall’s Island, the MTA Lions delivered a powerful all-around performance to take down the HANC Hurricanes 7–1 and punch their ticket to the playoffs. Behind a lights-out complete game from ace Eytan Richman and timely hitting up and down the lineup, MTA improved to 5–1 on the season.

The Lions wasted no time getting on the board. In the top of the first, Chaim Simon led off with a walk and advanced to second on a groundout. He scored on an error to give MTA a quick 1–0 lead. Moments later, Joe Mogul reached on an error, swiped second, and crossed home plate on a clutch RBI single from Aitan Goldberg, doubling the early advantage.

MTA broke the game open in the top of the fourth. After Mark Rosenstock and Klavan both worked walks, Andi Richman stepped up and delivered his second hit of the day, a shot into the gap that scored both runners. Richman then took second on a throw to the plate, and continued to apply pressure on the bases. After Chaim Simon reached on an error, Richman advanced to third. When the catcher attempted a back-pick to third, the ball got away, allowing Richman to score and Simon to move up to third himself. The aggressive baserunning and heads-up play gave the Lions a commanding 6–0 lead.

In the fifth, MTA tacked on one more. Aitan Goldberg led off with a single, then stole both second and third before coming home on an error to cap off the Lions’ scoring.

On the mound, Eytan Richman was in full control all afternoon. He went the distance, allowing just four hits and no earned runs in a complete game gem that kept HANC off balance from start to finish.

With the win, MTA not only improved to 5–1, but officially clinched a spot in the postseason. Their well-rounded showing on both sides of the ball was a statement performance as the team looks ahead to their playoff run.