On April 23, all 14 teams are scheduled to play, with three of them as headliners. In a battle of 5-1 squads, Archbishop Wood visits Archbishop Carroll. Another 5-1 team, Cardinal O’Hara, visits 4-1 Father Judge. And then there’s 5-1 La Salle, which hosts 4-2 Neumann-Goretti. 

“Catholic games are always more tight-pressured and especially this year with every team being so evenly matched,” said Neumann-Goretti senior Gabe Rappa. “Anyone can beat anyone. You just have to take it one game at a time.”

Rappa came oh-so-close to making history on April 16. The senior hurler was one out away from throwing a no-hitter at Lansdale Catholic, but because his pitch count had reached the century mark, by league rule he was not permitted to face another batter. 

Junior Jeff Rosenblum took the ball and completed the no-no, as the Saints prevailed, 3-0, aided by freshman Jameson Masino’s two runs batted in. 

Though disappointed, Rappa accepted his fate with maturity.

“Pitching a complete game no-hitter would have been great, but you can’t always get what you want,” said Rappa. “As long as we get the win at the end of the day, I am happy.”

Rappa and his teammates started thinking about a no-hit bid early in the fifth inning. Once the seventh frame began, the suspense was palpable. Rappa, however, remained stoic.

La Salle vs. St. Joe's Prep - Photos by Patty Morgan

The Saints’ two victories in 24 hours helped ease the pain of consecutive painful losses to Roman Catholic (5-2) and Archbishop Wood (2-0). 

“This is one of our youngest teams in recent memory, with four starting freshmen, so we knew we are only going to get better,” said Messina, who will join Rappa at La Salle University in the fall. “It was huge for us. The losses to Roman and Carroll were heartbreaking. We had a chance to beat one of the top teams in the league and get ourselves back in the standings to move to 4-2 in league play.”

MBAP vs. Roman - Photos by Kathy Leister

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Roman Catholic notched a mega-important 2-1 win over visiting Bonner-Prendergast on April 15. The Friars had entered the game undefeated.

“I was impressed because our whole team knew what we were up against,” said Roman junior Jason Kelly. “No one on our team was scared that they were undefeated, and we stepped up to the challenge. 

“Our intensity throughout the whole game could not have been better. We were up and cheering every single pitch. It was definitely one of the most exciting games I have ever been a part of. Everyone still thinks of Roman Catholic has an underdog and we are here to prove them wrong.”

Junior Erik Grady lined a two-run double for the Cahillites. Junior Alex Singer started and allowed an unearned run over the first 4 2/3 innings. Kelly then closed it out with 2 1/3 innings of shutout pitching.

In the seventh Kelly walked the first batter, but senior catcher Gaeton Gialoretto pegged the would-be base stealer out at second. A pop out and strike out ended the game. 

“This was definitely my most meaningful save,” said Kelly, “because they were undefeated and how intense the game was.”

Singer appreciated Kelly’s ability to finish what he had started. 

“My main focus was to just attack the strike zone and to try to keep the hitters as off balance as I could,” said Singer. “I give Bonner credit, though, because I didn’t have an easy inning the whole game. 

Devon Prep coach Bobby Harper was asked to assess his team’s elevator ride.

“We as a coaching staff talked to them after the game and told them to keep their heads up,” said Harper. “As the year has gone on, they have been loud and behind each other in every situation, whether we’re up, if it’s close, or down big. We were very proud of their effort.

“Personally, I loved every second of it. Even though we didn’t come out on top, these guys don’t have any quit in them. I couldn’t ask for more out of them. We’re looking forward to seeing their continued growth as a team.”