by Jordan Fickling, sports editor

After having an auspicious start to the season, Varsity Baseball team Francis Lewis faced their first challenge (and loss).

Earlier in the week, Francis Lewis engaged in a two game series with Benjamin N. Cardozo High School. They were successful in their first outing scoring six runs to three.

Cardozo was able to extract a measure of revenge and tie the season series 1-1 with an 11-6 victory.

“Cardozo is a very great team. If there is a team that I would rather lose to, it would be them. The players are very talented and I respect all of them,” Senior Quincy Tunstall said.

Francis Lewis started the game strong, with Shortstop Quincy Tunstall stealing third base and scoring a run after Third Baseman Zachary Damasco hitting a base- hitting single. Francis Lewis drew first blood and initiated the first of many leads of the game.

Cardozo would retaliate however, racking up five runs and building up huge momentum in the bottom of the third. They capitalized off of many errors produced by Lewis pitcher Jesse Falik.

“I was really surprised and disappointed at my performance in the first few innings. I’ve been practicing a lot in the summer and I normally don’t make as many errors. I hope to improve in my next start,” Falik said.

At the top of the fourth, Francis Lewis would come roaring back scoring three runs and tie Cardozo off of a two-run base hit from First Baseman Anthony Payano. Immediately after, Outfielder Darian Kabashi hit a single to right field to drive in a run. They would notch another run to once again take the lead.

Unfortunately in what seemed to be a recurring theme of the matchup was Cardozo scoring runs off of error from Francis Lewis. They were able to regain the lead and extend it by three runs off of a botched pop up catch from Tunstall.

In an act of unsportsmanship, Cardozo would scream and cheer and almost exited their dugout only to be chastised by the Umpire. Many Francis Lewis players and parents were unhappy by this, but it seems to be a recurring characteristic of Cardozo players.

From then on, it was an uphill battle for Francis Lewis as they continued to attempt to make a comeback. Their rallies would be quelled and thwarted by Cardozo as they were able to extend the lead by two runs.

In the end, Francis Lewis suffered a heartbreaking loss as they tried to rectify the mistakes they made in the earlier innings. They continued to press on and play in the face of adversity and unsportsmanlike conduct.