Baseball: Fontaine shines as Beacon stuns Wallkill and star pitcher Kyle DeGroat

As badly as the players would’ve wanted to play it cool and give off the “We do this…” vibe, their natural enthusiasm refused to cooperate. Because this wasn’t the norm.

“In the last inning,” coach Bob Atwell said of his Beacon baseball team, “you could notice a little extra pep in their step. They were super excited.”

Because they knew what already was accomplished and what they were on the verge of completing.

There is such reverence for Wallkill superstar Kyle DeGroat that opponents have nicknamed him “De GOAT” ― as in the greatest of all time. He is among the best players this area has produced and the pitcher is expected to be a coveted prospect in the MLB draft this summer.

There also is a great respect for his team and what it has accomplished in recent years, including thumping Beacon in the Section 9 semifinals the previous two seasons.

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So, of course, the Bulldogs had earned the right to strut on Monday while putting the finishing touches on a 5-1 upset of Wallkill at Heritage Financial Park. Beacon dealt the Panthers their first loss this season and stuck DeGroat with only his second ‘L’ since 2022.

“It was a great experience for them to play a team of that caliber and win,” Atwell said. “We beat them in the regular season two years ago, but we didn't face DeGroat.”

With a slew of major league scouts in attendance to watch the Texas commit, it was Mikey Fontaine who shined brightest in the spotlight, weaving a three-hitter against a team that entered averaging 10.1 runs per game.

The right-hander walked none and struck out five, needing only 75 pitches in a complete game.

“Mikey was just amazing,” Atwell said of the senior. “He's been coming along as our No. 1 starter and improving as the season progresses. He dominated his previous two starts, too.”

Beacon had its first two batters reach base, which perked everyone up in the dugout, hopeful of a big inning. A momentary tease, though, as DeGroat fanned nine of the next 10.

But the Bulldogs broke through for three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Ronnie Anzovino turned heads when he launched a deep fly ball to left, but it hooked foul and sailed over the ballpark’s new clubhouse.

He eventually walked to lead off. Ryan Landisi then bunted, but a throwing error set up runners at first and third. Jackson Atwell followed with a single and Fontaine’s RBI groundout made it 2-0 before DeGroat was relieved. Liam Murphy was hit by a pitch and stole second preceding Ryan Smith’s sacrifice fly.

“They had quality at-bats in big spots and were able to put pressure on the defense,” Bob Atwell said. “We took advantage of everything we could.”

Atwell went 2 for 3 with an RBI, Anzovino was 1 for 2 with two runs and Fontaine went 1 for 3 with a stolen base and an RBI. DeGroat allowed three hits, one earned run and struck out 11 in 4⅓ innings for the Panthers (13-1).

“Most of our guys know Lenny Torres and attended games as kids seeing scouts watch him, so it’s not something they’re unfamiliar with,” Bob Atwell said of his team being unfazed by the atmosphere. “It does add some buzz to the game, but they keep it in perspective and don't get swept up.”

The Bulldogs also didn’t lose themselves in the excitement of that victory, following it up with an 18-1 win over Liberty on Tuesday. Fontaine drove in four and Atwell was 3 for 4 with three RBI for Beacon (12-5). Mercer Jordan went 3 for 3 with an RBI, and eight players drove in a run. Junior Matt Apostolou made his first varsity start and allowed a run with four strikeouts in four innings.

“This is a really fun group that's a pleasure to coach,” Bob Atwell said. “Wallkill has been a Section 9 power, a defending champ, and to do this gives us a huge boost of confidence.”

Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Baseball: Fontaine, Atwell help Beacon upset Wallkill and DeGroat