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BASEBALL: PCL Top Standings Are Tight as Six Teams are Tied for Second

By John Knebels Photos/Videos: Kathy Leister & Alex Duda, 04/15/19, 4:30PM EDT

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Philadelphia Catholic League Baseball Round-Up (4/15)

By: John Knebels

Photos/Videos: Kathy Leister & Alex Duda

 

PCL Baseball – Archbishop Carroll was coming off a loss that several players – both on and off the record – described as a combination of disappointing and embarrassing.

After losing, 13-5, to Bonner-Prendergast in front of their home crowd on April 8, the Patriots rebounded for a 2-0 win at Neumann-Goretti 48 hours later. 

Senior Tyler Kehoe hurled a two-hit, complete-game shutout. Talk about a feel-good victory.

“It was a huge confidence boost,” said senior Alex Cornell. “Kehoe came up huge and pitched a gem. We’re excited for these next few games to get the ball rolling again.”

Cornell struggled against Bonner-Prendergast; then again, most pitchers do against the first-place Friars. Still, Cornell was relieved when the Pats regained their stride.

“I had a rough outing on Monday, and Tyler picking me up on Wednesday is exactly what the team needed,” said Cornell.

Kehoe’s tremendous pitching appeared to not be enough. The Patriots were unable to solve N-G starter through five innings. In the sixth, however, junior Pat Marley walked and raced home on a hit-and-run, RBI double by senior Jack Tulskie.


Carroll senior Tyler Kehoe pitched a complete game shut-out vs. Neumann-Goretti - PSD Photo by Kathy Leister

Sophomore Evan Bruder followed with a single down the line that scored Tulskie with an insurance tally. 

“We know there will be some bumps in the road, but it’s about how you respond to them,” said Kehoe. “So far we’ve responded to every bump in the road we’ve hit. I can’t preach enough about this group of guys. They are just special, and I can’t wait to see what we can do going forward.”

Kehoe was pressed to elaborate on his two-hit masterpiece. He did; well, sort of.

“It was definitely one of my personal bests on the mound, but also as a team,” said Kehoe. “We know the guy behind us is always going to pick us up. Our defense is really, really good, and as a pitcher, you just need to focus on throwing strikes because our defense will pick you up no matter what the situation is.”

Through a little less than one third of the league season, Carroll is tied with five other squads at 3-1. Among them is Father Judge.

On April 8 against yet another 3-1 team, Archbishop Wood, Judge scored three runs in the second to take a 4-2 lead and held on for a 5-3 triumph. Junior Shawn LeVan doubled twice and notched an RBI, and junior Ethan Martini drove home two more for the Crusaders. The combined pitching of senior Sean Moran and junior Bryce White held the Vikings to six hits.

In a 10-0 victory over visiting Devon Prep the next day, LeVan joined junior teammates Justin Barcowski and Eddie Doll with multiple hits while seniors Matt Kennedy and Matt Konan combined for a six-inning shutout. 

“Beating Wood was a great win for us,” said Moran, who tossed the first 3 1/3 innings before giving way to White for a brilliant 3 2/3 inning save. “They are a really good team. The win also give us some confidence and momentum that we hope to carry forward with us throughout the season.”

Senior Andrew Sicinski, who contributed a sacrifice fly against Wood and a grand slam – his second of the season – against Devon Prep, credited Judge’s youth for the Wood win.

“Our young guys stepped up,” he said.

As to his grand slam, Sicinski crushed a curveball to finish a seven-pitch at bat in epic style.

“It felt great because it opened up the game,” said Sicinski. “You don’t get that chance very often.”

Judge pitcher Bryce White closes out the game vs. Wood 5-3 - Video by Alex Duda

Justin Barcowski hits a ground rule double for Judge to end the game 10-0 vs. Devon Prep - Video by Alex Duda

At 4-0, Bonner-Prendergast has toppled St. Joseph’s Prep, Father Judge, Archbishop Carroll, and Conwell-Egan by a composite total 35-12. 

“The season has been great so far,” said junior Nate Furman. “We have an awesome group of guys who all have the same goal in winning a plaque this year. Our chemistry is awesome and everyone loves being a part of something that can be special. Our coaches have been pushing us since the first day of practice and we’re all in.”

Senior Steve DiBattista, who notched the pitching win over Conwell-Egan, echoed his teammate.

“We all love getting after it every day,” said DiBattista. “Hopefully we can keep things rolling and make something special out of this season.”

 

(Contact John Knebels at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)

Standings as of 4/15:

Bonner-Prendergast 4-0

Archbishop Carroll 3-1

Archbishop Wood 3-1

Cardinal O'Hara 3-1

Roman Catholic 3-1

La Salle 3-1 

Father Judge 3-1 

Neumann-Goretti 2-2 

Archbishop Ryan 1-3

Conwell-Egan 1-3

St. Joseph's Prep 1-3

Devon Prep 1-3 

Bishop McDevitt 0-4

Lansdale Catholic 0-4