Minutes after arriving in Sharon, Massachusetts, MTA was ready to kick off the 2023 Ezra Schwartz Memorial Baseball Tournament with a bang. Even months prior to this day, MTA was preparing for this exact moment. On Thursday, 1:30 p.m., MTA opened by playing AJA, Atlanta Jewish Academy. Since they had never seen or played against this team before, MTA knew they had to come out strong and let everyone know how dangerous they could be. MTA captain and 2023 ESMBT MVP Gavriel Rudman threw a strong first inning to start off the game, allowing no runs. After that, MTA cruised and seemed in control of the whole game even without their ace pitching the rest, beating AJA 4-0.
Though they had won their first game, MTA still had one more game left that day—a night game against the reigning champions, Maimonides, which they knew was going to be tough. Pitching for Maimonides was Avi Schwartz, Ezra’s younger brother. This game was set to start right after the opening ceremony. Having so many eyes on him and having Ezra in his heart, Avi gave Maimonides a reason to rejoice, throwing a complete game only allowing a single run. This 12-1 Maimonides victory concluded day one of the tournament, and gave a glimpse of what was to come for day two.
MTA, now 1-1, knew their next game against Kushner would decide whether or not they would make it to the championship game. Wanting to save their ace for potentially starting the championship game, MTA would have to start someone else in his place. The man for the job? Freshman Eytan Richman. This decision paid off big time for MTA, as Richman pitched a complete game gem, only allowing one run. MTA had come out victorious yet again beating Kushner in a nail biter 2-1.
Having to rush to be home by Shabbos, MTA and Maimonides were set to rematch in a game for all the marbles. Maimonides was confident, having just beat MTA 12-1 hours prior. MTA, on the other hand, knew that they were in a good position also, since Maimonides’s best player Avi Schwartz could not pitch this game because he had thrown too many pitches the day before. This would also be the third game of the day for Maimonides, possibly having an effect on the team’s energy during the game. MTA started the game off strong, leading Maimonides going into the sixth inning 6-3.
Due to time constraints, the sixth inning would be the last, leaving Maimonides with no room for error. Maimonides now had men on second and third with one out, and brought the tying batter to the plate in a big spot. Maimonides got a hit, placed perfectly in between first and second base, scoring two runs and making it a one run ball game. After striking out the next batter, Maimonides was down to their final out of the tournament. The batter hit a slow tapper to the right of the mound, making MTA pitcher Gavriel Rudman dive off the mound for the ball. The ball went right under his glove, but luckily MTA second baseman Mark Rosenstock was there to back him up and throw the batter out to MTA first baseman Akiva Gelernter. The underdogs had come out on top, beating Maimonides in a 6-5 thriller, and winning the tournament crown.
By Mark Rosenstock
