morenoidy

ALBANY — New York’s troubled racing industry took another hit yesterday as state regulators suspended a harness trainer they claim illegally drugged horses in 675 races and racked up 1,719 equine drug violations.

Mexican-born harness trainer Luis “Lou” Pena fired right back, accusing the state Racing and Wagering Board of racism.

The board suspended Pena indefinitely for violations it said occurred between January 2010 and April 2012.

The move comes just days after state leaders announced a three-year state takeover of the New York Racing Association to clean up the long-troubled non-profit operator of the Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga thoroughbred tracks.

Pena promised to fight the suspension at a scheduled administrative hearing on his case at the board’s upstate Schenectady offices next Wednesday — which he said he learned about from The Post.

Pena said he told the Racing and Wagering Board, “You guys are looking for a way to throw me out just because I’m brown.”

The board said Pena — who last summer credited his astonishing success rate to “technique training” after privately-owned Yonkers Raceway banned him on suspicion of drugging horses — faces a possible revocation of his license and fines of up to $2,500 per violation.

The board also said it may try to recover more than $2.5 million in purse monies won with horses drugged outside permitted timeframes as part of the ongoing investigation.

The board credited officials from New Jersey, where Pena stables his horses, for helping in the probe.

NYRA fired its president and general counsel recently after a Racing and Wagering board report suggested they knew NYRA was shorting bettors by as much as $8.5 million.

Gov. Cuomo’s administration then admonished NYRA for replacing the fired officials with others who may have been part of the problem.

NYRA has also come under recent scrutiny for horse deaths.

Pena’s horses have had 12 positive tests since 1991., including one in California that led to a two-month suspension.

That 2000 incident involved clenbuterol, a nonsteroid treatment to help clear lungs that the state was in the process of approving for use but was not officially allowed at the time. The others were for exceeding the limits on approved and commonly used medications.

New York Racing Association, NYRA, Luis “Lou” Pena, Wagering board, Racing and Wagering Board, horses, harness trainer

Nypost.com

David Robertson could be back from the disabled list next Friday in Detroit, but the closer’s job he got after Mariano Rivera tore his ACL might not be waiting for him.

Joe Girardi said yesterday he was unsure who would have the role, since Rafael Soriano has done well with Robertson sidelined by a strained oblique.

For now, though, the choice is clear.

“He’s closing games for me,” Girardi said of Soriano before last night’s 8-3 win over the Royals. “He’s my closer.”

But he wasn’t prepared to make a full-time commitment to the right-hander, who has three saves this season.

“Every spot has to be earned and you have to continue to produce,” Girardi said. “Obviously, he had a track record as a closer. He’s been very successful and I expect him to do that here.”

So far, the manager has liked what he’s seen.

“I’ve been comfortable bringing in [Soriano] when I’ve been bringing him in,” Girardi said. “It’s because of his experience and what he’s done.”

BOX SCORE

He had his first one-run save in Tuesday’s 3-2 win against Kansas City, but he hardly has been overwhelming since joining the Yankees as a free agent in 2011.

One thing he’s not worried about is Soriano’s durability.

“I’ve watched him work from afar and managed him for a year and I’ve always felt like he’s a guy who could go three days in a row,” Girardi said. “And he’s honest. He’s been honest with me about when he feels good and when he doesn’t feel good. . . . I’d like to need our closer three days in a row. That would be nice.’’

Still, he wasn’t ready to make a permanent call.

“Let’s just see where we are when [Robertson] gets back,” Girardi said. “I’ll cross that bridge when the time comes . . . Let’s just get him back where he’s comfortable. Let’s get him in a game before we start making an official decision.”

* Derek Jeter went 3-for-5 and tied Paul Waner for 15th on the all-time hit list with 3,152. Next on the list is George Brett at 3,154 . . . Brett Gardner underwent an MRI exam yesterday on his strained right elbow and although Girardi said the muscle had healed, the left fielder was still feeling “stiffness.” He will head to Tampa today for more treatment.

, but probably won’t start hitting off a tee until Monday.

Robertson will also go to Tampa and is scheduled to start playing catch today.

Rafael Soriano, David Robertson, Mariano Rivera, Girardi, Derek Jeter

Nypost.com

FIRST-6f; $12,500; cl($6,250); 3up; (f&m)

1

Cntry Chc (CstllnJr.)

3.40

2.40

2.10

6

Mambo Maya (Centeno)

2.80

2.60

2

Wakina (Paz)

5.60

* $1 Exacta (1-6) $5.00 * $1 Superfecta (1-6-2-3) $201.10 * $1 Trifecta (1-6-2) $40.30

Winner picked by Affrunti

SECOND-6f; $12,000; mdn cl($10,000); 3up; (f&m)

6

Mss Ravlo (Perez)

4.40

2.60

2.10

1

a-Bob's Redhead (Bcchs)

2.20

2.10

4

Raven's Special (Castillo)

4.20

* $1 Daily Double (1-6) $6.90 * $1 Exacta (6-1) $4.80 * $1 Superfecta (6-1-4-3) $81.50 * $1 Trifecta (6-1-4) $24.20

THIRD-6f; $18,500; cl($20,000); 3up

2

Tlntd Whz (Cntno)

4.20

3.00

2.10

7

On the Board (Cintron)

3.80

2.10

6

Grand Prelude (Rocco,Jr.)

2.10

Scr: C. Lady's Warrior, Sun Song.

* $1 Pick 3 (1-6-2) 3 Correct $13.50 * $1 Daily Double (6-2) $4.40 * $1 Exacta (2-7) $9.00 * $1 Superfecta (2-7-6-5) $34.60 * $1 Trifecta (2-7-6) $12.80

FOURTH-1m; $20,000; cl($20,000); 4up

6

Jke's Bndd (Pmntl)

7.60

4.00

3.00

1

a-Ninth Clent (Caraballo)

5.80

3.00

4

Smalltownman (Acksel)

6.80

Scr: Tripp O Steel.

* $1 Pick 4 (1-6-1/2/3-6) 4 Correct $81.20 * $1 Pick 3 (6-2-6) 3 Correct $28.20 * $1 Daily Double (2-6) $9.60 * $1 Exacta (6-1) $20.10 * $1 Superfecta (6-1-4-2) $580.70 * $1 Trifecta (6-1-4) $170.50

FIFTH-5 1/2f; $16,000; str alw; 4up

4

Adm's Ny (Pmntl)

43.00

11.60

4.20

3

Conflicting Report (Ortz)

3.60

2.60

6

Phil's Tango (Centeno)

3.20

* $1 Pick 3 (2-6-4) 3 Correct $123.10 * $1 Daily Double (6-4) $122.40 * $1 Exacta (4-3) $48.30 * $1 Superfecta (4-3-6-2) $647.60 * $1 Trifecta (4-3-6) $288.10

SIXTH-6f; $12,500; cl($6,250); 3up

3

Schlossed (Cntno)

3.20

2.10

out

6

Smrt Executve (Pmentel)

3.40

out

Scr: Singapore Thunder, Wiseman's Bluff.

* $1 Pick 3 (6-4-3) 3 Correct $173.20 * $1 Daily Double (4-3) $36.70 * $1 Exacta (3-6) $3.40

Winner picked by Affrunti

SEVENTH-6f; $27,000; cl($40,000); 3up

2

Bellssm Lun (Ortz)

15.80

6.60

4.00

5

Ghostbuster (Santiago)

16.00

5.80

1

a-Laughter (Cintron)

2.40

* $1 Pick 5 (1/2/3-6-4-2/3/5-2) 5 Correct $1,835.60 * $1 Pick 3 (4-3-2) 3 Correct $436.20 * $1 Daily Double (3-2) $16.50 * $1 Exacta (2-5) $66.30 * $1 Superfecta (2-5-1-4) $583.60 * $1 Trifecta (2-5-1) $342.90

EIGHTH-1m; $50,000; 3YO

Grover

1

Wndow Boy (Bsn)

18.80

4.20

out

3

Reckless Jerry (RoccoJr.)

2.20

out

Scr: Big Kick.

* $1 Pick 4 (4-2/3/5-2-1) 4 Correct $3,296.50 * $1 Pick 3 (3-2-1) 3 Correct $119.50 * $1 Daily Double (2-1) $84.20 * $1 Exacta (1-3) $19.50

NINTH-5 1/2f; $10,500; mdn cl($30,000); 3up

5

Langley (MolnaJr.)

6.20

3.40

2.20

3

Tme And Chnc (Unshuy)

3.00

2.40

7

Annies Got Agun Lzp (Paz)

2.40

Scr: Breaking Newz.

* $1 Pick 3 (2-1-5) 3 Correct $204.00 * $1 Daily Double (1-5) $37.80 * $1 Exacta (5-3) $7.70 * $1 Superfecta (5-3-7-4) $44.30 * $1 Trifecta (5-3-7) $16.20

TENTH-6f; $12,500; medn spcl wt; 3up

7

Nuvu Rch (MlnJr.)

8.60

4.80

5.60

3

Sand Blastt (Santana,Jr.)

4.80

5.00

5

Grraffiti Bvf (Unsihuay)

7.80

* $1 Pick 3 (1-5-7) 3 Correct $176.20 * $1 Daily Double (5-7) $13.70 * $1 Exacta (7-3) $14.50 * $1 Superfecta (7-3-5-2) $464.60 * $1 Trifecta (7-3-5) $86.00

Attendance unavailable.

Handle $65,521.

Total Handle $1,887,259.

cl, cl, Daily Double, Trifecta online

Nypost.com

May 22nd, 2012 Rain And Muddy (Sealed)

©2012 Equibase. All Rights Reserved

FIRST-1m; $24,000; cl($10,000); 3up

Off: 12:26. Good. wide, drew away lane

Time: 24.24, 48.26, 1:13.52, 1:27.01, 1:4.75.

Trainer: Anthony Margotta, Jr.

Winner: B H, 5, by Bernstein-Sweet Mama

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Sweet Bernie

120

6

3

2

1 2 1/2

1 5 1/4

Chavez

4.60

Grecian Pegasus

120

2

6

5

3 1/2

2 1 3/4

Burke

14.10

South Fleet

115

3

1

1

2 2 1/2

3 3 1/4

Pellot

0.80

Mr. Ventura T

118

7

7

6

4 2

4 3 1/2

HerneOe

5.60

Minute

120

5

5

4

6

5 no

Molina

7.20

Waterfall

113

4

2

3

5 1

6

Villanev

14.30

Buzzards Roost

113

1

4

7

_ease

d_

Bowmn

13.00

6-Sweet Bernie

11.20

4.40

2.60

2-Grecian Pegasus

13.00

4.80

3-South Fleet

2.20

* Exacta (6-2) $152.60 * Trifecta (6-2-3) $282.60 *

Winner picked by Affrunti, DaSilva, Debbie L., Consensus

SECOND-6f; $35,000; str alw; 3up

Off: 12:53. Good. wide, strong handling

Time: 22.73, 46.49, 58.58, 1:11.1.

Trainer: Cathal Lynch

Winner: B G, 4, by Posse-Dusty's Lil Book

Scr: Allen's Star, Top the Podium.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Dusterino

122

4

4

2

1 1

1 1/2

Arroyo

7.80

Belle's Notion

122

3

3

1

2 hd

2 no

Elliott

1.80

Forest Justice

120

2

1

3

3 2

3 11

Rivera

8.20

Regal Strike

122

1

2

4

4

4

Alvarado

0.50

5-Dusterino

17.60

4.40

out

4-Belle's Notion

2.80

out

2-Forest Justice

out

* Daily Double (6-5) $64.80 * Exacta (5-4) $31.80 *

THIRD-7f; $17,000; mdn cl($10,000); 3up; (f&m)

Off: 1:20. Good. stalked, led, lasted

Time: 23.42, 47.29, 1:13.27, 1:27.36.

Trainer: Dario Vasquez

Winner: DK B/ M, 5, by Harry the Hat-Phillie City

Scr: Rebel Ways.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Alyphillie

114

7

2

2

2 1 1/2

1 nk

Mejias

6.10

McClean's Gap

117

1

4

3

3 1

2 2 1/2

Suarez

0.60

Pioneer Bird

117

3

7

5

4 6

3 3/4

Garcia

8.30

Ivy Girl

117

4

1

1

1 1

4 10

Villanuev

4.40

Irishdancedforfree

109

5

6

6

5 1

5 2

Bowmn

51.60

Mezzotinta

124

2

5

4

6 10

6 13

Rosado

6.50

Quiet Amusement

112

6

3

7

7

7

Pellot

48.00

8-Alyphillie

14.20

5.40

2.80

1-McClean's Gap

2.80

2.40

3-Pioneer Bird

3.00

* $1 Pick 3 (6-5-8) 3 Correct $252.20 * Exacta (8-1) $35.20 * Trifecta (8-1-3) $114.00 *

FOURTH-6f; $30,000; str alw; 3up; (f&m)

Off: 1:47. Good. wide, driving

Time: 23.21, 46.41, 58.78, 1:11.69.

Trainer: Scott Lake

Winner: DK B/ M, 8, by Chester House-Diane's Birthday

Scr: Sherribaldi.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Suzee Sunrise

122

3

3

2

2 2

1 3/4

Arce

1.80

She Wants

119

4

4

4

3 1 1/2

2 2 1/4

Hmpse,J.

5.40

Comet of Love

119

1

2

1

1 hd

3 1/2

Chiappe

3.20

World Gone Wrong

121

5

5

5

5 5

4 1 3/4

Pennngtn

5.20

Gee Pari

114

2

1

3

4 hd

5 4 1/2

Suarez

2.70

Lesly's Back

121

6

6

6

6

6

Mntnez

25.90

4-Suzee Sunrise

5.60

3.20

2.20

5-She Wants

5.20

3.00

2-Comet of Love

2.80

Next >

1

2

Anthony Margotta, Debbie L., Trifecta

Nypost.com

It was an incredibly dominant season for Academy of American Studies and it fittingly ended with a PSAL city championship, the first for a boys program in the history for the Long Island City.

Michal Kasza, Conrad Zajkowski, Piotr Kasza and Ricky Myint were all excellent in the final against Bronx Science, where the Eagles had to come from a set down to win it in three. It was a dramatic, electric match with both sides of bleachers at Hunter College filled.

This week, Regis looks to defend its CHSAA title. For more on that and how the rankings shake out, see below:

Denis Gostev

Academy Of American Studies middle Conrad Zajkowski is lifted up after the Eagles' exciting victory in the PSAL final.

1. Academy of American Studies (15-0) (Last week: 1)

The first boys city title in the school’s history was won Thursday when Academy of American Studies knocked off Bronx Science in a thrilling three-setter in front of a packed house at Hunter College. It was no surprise that Michal Kasza led the way.

Next: Season complete

2. Bronx Science (14-1) (2)

Up a set and leading 7-2, Bronx Science was in great shape to upset Academy of American Studies for the PSAL city title. But the Eagles made adjustments, got into a rhythm and their firepower was just a little too much for the Wolverines.

Next: Season complete

3. Cardozo (14-2) (4)

It was another strong year for Cardozo, though it ended in the semifinals Tuesday in a great matchup with Academy of American Studies. Look for the Judges to get even further next year with just about its entire team coming back.

Next: Season complete

4. Brooklyn Tech (15-1) (6)

The job that coach Noreen Begley does year in and year out is impressive and it’s one other PSAL coaches are trying to emulate. With a team led by Dukhyun Ko and athletes from other sports, Brooklyn Tech made it all the way to the semis.

Next: Season complete

5. Regis (11-0) (5)

The Raiders have made it look easy this year, dominating their peers in the CHSAA and doing big things in tournaments against PSAL and private school teams. It all comes down to Wednesday, though, and the CHSAA final against Spellman.

Next: Cardinal Spellman, CHSAA final (May 23, 5 p.m.)

6. New Utrecht (14-1) (3)

After an impressive revenge win in the second round against Newcomers, New Utrecht wasn’t able to muster the same intensity against Brooklyn Tech in the quarterfinals. The Utes will miss Ming Ho Zhen and Qing Ze Jiang a lot.

Next: Season complete

7. McKee/Staten Island Tech (12-1) (7)

The goal was reaching the quarterfinals for McKee/Staten Island Tech and that’s what the Seagulls did. The undefeated Staten Island champ loses top contributors Yo Sep Bak and Calvin Liu, who were both critical to its playoff run.

Next: Season complete

8. Bryant (14-1) (8)

This year was something of a rebuilding season for Bryant, which did perhaps even a little better than coach Steve Hagenlocher expected. The loss of Godwin Sequeira will hurt, but the Owls have pieces back to make another deep playoff run.

Next: Season complete

9. Hunter College HS (14-1) (10)

Kadeem Nibbs will be missed badly on the Upper East Side, for his athleticism and how he carried himself. Hunter, though, was very young this year with 11 sophomores and could be a candidate for a long playoff push in 2013.

Next: Season complete

10. Susan Wagner (9-3) (10)

Seniors like Danil Shchegolev will be missed for Wagner after nearly reaching the quarterfinals in a three-set, second-round thriller against Hunter College HS. But there are still returning players that will make the Falcons solid next year.

Next: Season complete

New: None

Dropped out: None

On the bubble: Newcomers (7-5), Richmond Hill (11-1), Midwood (9-1), Francis Lewis (11-3), Townsend Harris (10-4), FDR (11-3) and Long Island City (8-4)

mraimondi@nypost.com

Academy of American Studies, PSAL, Hunter College, Hunter College, Bronx Science, Conrad Zajkowski, CHSAA, CHSAA, American Studies middle Conrad Zajkowski, Brooklyn Tech, the Eagles, Piotr Kasza, Michal Kasza

Nypost.com

Lenn Robbins

ROBBINS' NEST

After Steve Lavin had completed a rousing commencement address last Sunday to the St. John’s Class of 2012 — “Make no mistake, this generation will need their best,’’ he exclaimed, “but you’re up to the task because you’re Johnnies!” — the Red Storm basketball coach and his lovely wife, Mary, were strolling back to their downtown Manhattan apartment when he exhaled, a long, full, life-affirming breath.

Lavin, too, had just graduated a significant chapter in his life.

The prostate cancer and ensuing surgery that forced him to the sidelines for most of the 2011-12 season, is gone, according to his most recent checkup.

St. John’s University

NOW HEAR THIS: St. John’s basketball coach Steve Lavin, who sat out the 2011-12 basketball season while recovering from prostate cancer surgery, gave the school’s commencement address last weekend.

The bonanza recruiting class of six players, which on paper will give Lavin a deep and talented team, is signed.

The commencement address, before some 19,000 guests on the school’s Great Lawn, was his second in two days. He addressed the Staten Island class, and 2,100 guests, on Saturday.

It was the first time he’d gone back-to-back since last Nov. 17 and 18, when the Johnnies dropped consecutive heartbreakers in the Garden to Arizona and Texas A&M — the last two games he would coach — and Lavin was beaming like, well, a graduate.

“There was a demarcation, a breakthrough,’’ Lavin said the other night at Campagnola, where the maître d’ calls him ‘Coach.’

“I was elated. There was a weight off my shoulders that I suddenly wasn’t carrying around anymore. I was on a high.’’

The business of overseeing a big-time college basketball is one of highs and lows, but Lavin would be quite content if the 2012-13 season were an even-keeled one, confined mostly to hoops and coaching.

When he took the St. John’s job in March 2010, Lavin said it would be a three-year process before he had the program in place to perennially compete at a national level.

That was before he signed the nation’s No. 3-ranked recruiting class only to have three of his nine players fail to meet freshman academic eligibility standards . . . before mercurial point guard Nurideen Lindsey opted to transfer, junior Malik Stith left the team and star freshman Moe Harkless declared for the NBA . . . and, of course before Lavin was diagnosed with cancer.

Complications from a biopsy forced his surgery to last more than one-third of a day.

For the first time in almost 25 years of a life in college basketball, he missed a practice, then a game, then a season.

He tried not to take umbrage at what seemed like a running loop of rumor — he was more sick than he revealed; he regretted his decision to return to coaching after seven years at ESPN; Mary, a fledgling actress, wanted to return to Los Angeles to pursue her career.

“It was like Groundhog Day,’’ said Lavin.

Great movie, unless you’re living it.

While his young St. John’s team, which finished a 13-19 season starting five freshmen and with just six scholarship players who saw time, Lavin threw himself back into recruiting and revitalizing.

His second full recruiting class didn’t receive the publicity of the 2011-12 squad even though it includes forward JaKarr Sampson, one of the three freshmen who didn’t qualify, and elite big man Orlando Sanchez.

Forward Amir Garrett gained his eligibility last December and played the second half of the season. Texas A&M transfer Jamal Branch, a stellar point guard, will be eligible this December. Lavin will have, on paper, 11 capable scholarship players.

With the six recruits, two commencement addresses and one successful battle against prostate cancer behind him, Lavin and Mary are thinking some crazy thoughts — like finally buying a couch and hanging some of the coach’s sports memorabilia in their loft.

“I haven’t felt this good since I’ve been at St. John’s,’’ said Lavin.

When asked to sum up the last year in one word, the loquacious Lavin hesitated.

“Perquacky,’’ he joked.

Wow — move that tassel from right to left.

lenn.robbins@nypost.com

Steve Lavin, prostate cancer, prostate cancer, commencement address, prostate cancer surgery, college basketball

Nypost.com

SIDE DISH

Coney Island’s John “Cha Cha” Ciarcia, a staple on “The Sopranos” and co-host of “The Wiseguys Show,” on Sirius Radio, is writing a good comeback story.

Last year, in a very public lease dispute with Zamperla UCA Corporation, Ciarcia and others got booted off the boardwalk.

This week, Ciarcia will open the roughly 5,000 square foot Cha Cha’s Coney Island Seafood Bar & Pizzeria at 1315 Surf Ave. It’ll have a small outdoor space and a small stage inside. Open year round, it launches this Thursday, and includes a 500 square foot takeout cafe next store.

***

Beating the East End heat just got easier.

Celebrity salon Warren-Tricomi is opening a year-round salon in East Hampton at 64 Park Pl. — with parking. The 1,000 square-foot salon opens Friday in time for the Memorial Day weekend, and is already booking appointments. Its new New Jersey location at the Grove opens today.

The salon’s flagship is in the Plaza Hotel. Along with a Madison Avenue salon, there are also locations in Miami, Los Angeles and Greenwich.

*

WE HEAR . . . THAT EventNow, an online event planning marketplace that has sourced more than $18.6 million worth of events since its launch two years ago, is starting a new “11th hour events” service to help consumers find whatever they need to plan an event at the last minute — from venues to photographers to ice sculptors. The consumer can access EventNow’s 51,000 vendors to help them sell leftover inventory from last minute cancellations.

Coney Island Seafood Bar & Pizzeria, Zamperla UCA Corporation, Sirius Radio, Cha Cha, Ciarcia, The Sopranos, square foot, Madison Avenue salon

Nypost.com

Jessica Signore made sure her Preston team celebrated a playoff win before they got to do the same for her birthday.

“I’m happy we won,” the 17-year-old shortstop said. “I’m happy I got a hit."

Signore was the Panthers leadoff hitter her first two seasons, but moved to the No. 3 spot this year. She showed off both skills in a 7-3 win over visiting Notre Dame Academy at Bicentennial Veterans Memorial Park in the CHSAA Archdiocesan softball semifinals Saturday. She led off a two-run third with a single and scored a run, had an RBI single in the fifth and a two-run double in the sixth. Her team sang "Happy Birthday" after and celebrated with cupcakes.

Denis Gostev

Preston's Jessica Signore had a big day at the plate against Notre Dame Academy.

Photos: Preston-Notre Dame

Denis Gostev

Preston's Julianna Orrico delivers a pitch in relief.

Photos: Preston-Notre Dame

“She’s just a real gamer," Preston coach Rachel Mazza said. “She shows passion, leadership. She is just a true captain.”

Mazza told her team before the contest that these were the games she prepared them for all year, by playing some of the city’s best squads. Preston lost in the quarterfinals last season and has not been able to break through into the diocesan final.

Both Mazza and Signore believe this team gives the Bronx school its best chance in recent years because of its versatility, even with the graduation of four-year star Laura Montalto. The Panthers (14-1) host defending champion Moore Catholic 2 p.m. Sunday in the semis. The Mavericks came back in the last inning to win two games against Preston back in late March and Mazza said her team will need to play better than it did against NDA to come away with a victory.

“We are very evenly matched,” she said. “They know they should have never given those games away.”

The CHSAA Bronx/Westchester division champion needed a boast after Notre Dame (3-10) took a 2-1 lead in the second inning thanks to a two-run single from Gabby Piscopo. Preston, with help from four walks, scored twice on a Gators throwing error in the second and Julianna Orrico and Kitty Lajqi both drove in runs in the third to extend the lead to 5-2. Panthers starter Megan Kelly allowed five hits and struck out five in five innings of work before Orrico came on in relief.

“When we see a team takes the lead it just sparks us even more that we got to hit,” Orrico said.

Gators coach Tony Curatolo left pleased with the strides his young team – three seniors, three freshmen – showed. He felt the third inning and the walks by starter Amanda Guarino helped take the momentum they had built away. His squad did get a run back in the fifth on a Leanne Forsyth double and had the bases loaded with two outs in the seventh, but could not score.

“I thought we played well, not too many mistakes,” Curatolo said. “I’m happy with them. They are yong and we played tough all year.”

Tough is exactly what Preston is trying to be on Moore in the semifinal. Signore has been the epitome of that during her three years on the varsity. Even as her role has changed, the production has not.

“I like batting one or two, but being with a young team as a junior now they had to put me somewhere else," Signore said. "That third spot is good enough for me. If I can get those hits with people on base and bring them it that’s fine.”

jstaszewski@nypost.com

Jessica Signore, Notre Dame, Notre Dame Academy, Julianna Orrico, Julianna Orrico, Panthers, Preston coach Rachel Mazza, Preston, CHSAA Archdiocesan

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TORONTO — Terry Collins didn’t need to see a replay to know second-base umpire Brian Knight blew the call.

From the first-base dugout at Rogers Centre, the Mets manager had a clear enough view in the ninth inning to know Yunel Escobar never applied the tag as Mike Baxter attempted to stretch a single into a double. Baxter was called out, all but killing the Mets’ comeback hopes in a 2-0 loss to the Blue Jays.

Collins argued the call, but didn’t get very far.

“[Knight] said he thought [Escobar] tagged him on the back,” Collins said. “I said if he didn’t have a good view of it to ask [for help], but he said he couldn’t, so that was it. I had no argument.”

Baxter was apologetic afterward for his emotional outburst after getting called out, but said there was no question he was safe.

“I’m not trying to show anybody up, but I definitely got caught up in the moment,” Baxter said. “Where [Knight] was standing was what he saw. That is the reality of the game. They are not robots.”

Brandon Morrow then retired Daniel Murphy for the final out, leaving Scott Hairston at third.

“We’ve lost a lot of games in exactly the same manner where the other team starts banging out hits,” Collins said. “I know Brandon pitched a tremendous game, but that’s a tough one to lose.”

* David Wright, who is battling flu-like symptoms and did not play, told Collins he expects to be ready for today’s series finale. Wright was scheduled to have yesterday off anyway, but would have been available to pinch-hit if healthy.

* Chris Schwinden will be at Rogers Centre today as a potential roster replacement should the Mets place Miguel Batista on the disabled list. Jordany Valdespin was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo yesterday to create roster space for Jeremy Hefner.

The move left the Mets with a short bench, but Collins said another position player will arrive for tomorrow’s game in Pittsburgh.

* Ruben Tejada (quadriceps) has begun running in a straight line and could start playing minor league rehab games by tomorrow. Jason Bay (fractured rib) may start taking batting practice tomorrow before heading to Port St. Lucie.

* Jenrry Mejia pitched three innings for Double-A Binghamton against Portland, allowing one earned run on six hits and no walks.

The righty, who is returning from Tommy John surgery, remains on the Mets’ radar for a bullpen or starting job this season.

mpuma@nypost.com

Terry Collins, Mike Baxter, Brian Knight, Yunel Escobar, Rogers Centre, Rogers Centre, Mets, Brandon Morrow, the Mets, the Mets, David Wright, Scott Hairston, Daniel Murphy, Miguel Batista

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