Catholic League Baseball off to a Strong Start
By: John Knebels
Photos by: Kathy Leister & Zamani Feelings
Videos by: Alex Duda, Geneva Heffernan & James Williamson
PHILADELPHIA - Despite a number of cancellations and postponements, Catholic League baseball has completed approximately one third of its original schedule.
Through April 20, the early results of the 14-team single division are pretty typical for this point of the season. Half of the teams possess winning records, and half have losing records.
But like literally every other spring sport, the fact that baseball players continue to play during a global pandemic is enough of a reason to celebrate.
And so . . .
Archbishop Wood has been dominant. At 8-1 overall and 5-0 in the league, the Vikings have surrendered a miserly seven runs with two shutouts against PCL competition while scoring 59 runs.
The Vikings’ most impressive victory was a 13-5 slugfest at Bonner-Prendergast, which figures to be a title contender. The Vikings jumped to a 7-1 lead in the third inning and scored in six of seven innings.
“Our pitchers have done a solid job of working ahead and changing speeds effectively,” said Wood coach Jim DiGuiseppe, Jr. “We've been playing well defensively making the routine plays, and at the plate we've battled. Key hits with runners in scoring position have been important to our success thus far.
“We have a very dedicated and hard-working group. They have a great desire to succeed. My coaching staff and I are very much enjoying working with this group of players.”
Wood’s powerful lineup is buoyed by senior Ryan Albin (.444 batting average, 17 runs scored), sophomore Joey Gale (.365, 15 RBI), senior Kevin Cute (.462, 16 RBI), senior Alex Neeld (.346, 12 RBI), junior Mike Trommer (.467, 14 RBI), and senior Luke Cantwell (.611, 9 RBI, team-high four stolen bases).
Wood vs. Bonner-Prendie (video-John Knebels)
Albin (4-0, 1.17), Trommer (3-0, 0.70), and junior Connor Woodson anchor the pitching.
“Energy is huge for us,” said Cantwell. “As a whole, we feed off of each other’s energy. We also firmly believe in team chemistry and being behind each other no matter what."
Archbishop Wood game highlights vs. Lansdale Catholic. (Video- Kathy Leister)
Senior pitcher Ryan Albin talks about his shutout vs. Lansdale Catholic. (video- Kathy Leister)
“We are a very talented squad in a very talented league, so we have to stay on each other as much as possible to make ourselves the best possible team. Energy can make or break a game in our opinion, and it has paid off thus far," said Cantwell.
At 4-0, La Salle is the only other undefeated PCL team. Among the Explorers’ key wins was a 10-2 decision at Cardinal O’Hara in which junior Kevin Kell allowed two hits and no earned runs while striking out 12, with junior Emmett McLaughlin hurling the final two innings with a line of two hits, three strikeouts, and no earned runs. Junior Jephson Hadson-Taylor drove in four runs. Senior Jake Whitlinger and senior Dan Wagner added two RBI apiece.
“Our strength is our senior leadership,” said La Salle coach Kyle Werman. “Despite missing a season a year ago, they have stepped right in and taken the lead with the team.
La Salle game day photos by: Zamani Feelings for PSD.
“I don't have any major concerns other than the issue of our players learning to compete at a high level under real pressure. Summer baseball doesn't challenge them the way high school baseball does. There is a different level of energy, anxiety, expectation, and pressure that they are learning to manage on the fly this spring. They missed the chance to learn those lessons a year ago.”
Bonner-Prendergast’s 3-1 record has been fueled by sophomore Kevin McGonigle (.600), junior James Sousa (.474), and junior Joey DeMucci (.429).
“Outside of the Archbishop Wood game, our biggest strengths have been our pitching and defense,” said B-P coach Steve DeBarberie. “We had five errors against Wood, which is uncharacteristic of us.”
Cardinal O’Hara’s offense has aided the 3-1 Lions. Junior Brandon Fanelli, senior Dom Alfonsi, and senior Quinn Martin have done most of the damage. Sophomore pitcher Pat Ahearn is 3-0 overall.
“Our strengths are pitching and depth,” said O’Hara coach Rob Benedict. “ Pitching has been solid to this point. Our depth and young guys have been solid.
“The chief concern is our health. We have had a few starters out with injuries and are looking forward to their return.”
Cardinal O'Hara pitcher Frankie Parrotti talks about his team's dynamics and season's goals. (video - James Williamson)
Cardinal O'Hara junior Brandon Finelli talks about his team's home opener vs. Lansdale Catholic. (Video - James Williamson)
Neumann-Goretti (3-1) defeated St. Joseph’s Prep, 5-2, behind a complete game gem by junior Jamison Masino, who allowed eight hits and struck out six. Senior AJ McGettigan doubled home a pair of runs.
“We are a very team-oriented group here at Neumann-Goretti,” said coach Mike Zolk. “Outside of our talent and hard work, the friendship that we see within our program has truly been a joy to watch. The boys leave the park and go right back to hanging out together, whether it’s a team dinner or 20 of them are at the Phillies game together.
“We have a team mixed with great veteran leadership with some good young talent, and I think they both complement each other extremely well. We are a very tough team with a true belief in each other. You can expect us to make a serious run for our seventh Catholic League championship since 2009.”
Neumann-Goretti vs. St. Joe's Prep. (game highlights by Geneva Heffernan)
St. Joseph’s Prep was at its optimum in an 11-1 win over Father Judge. The Hawks received five strong innings from junior Ryan Mullock (three hits, one run, five Ks). Sparked by senior Ryan Cuthbertson (four runs scored), junior Danny Sullivan (3 for 5, two RBI, two runs scored, batting .400), and junior Jude Finizio (3 for 3, 5 RBI, batting .625), the offense scored three runs in the first, second, and sixth innings. Senior Jimmy King is batting .379. Senior pitcher Nate Russell is another mainstay.
“The depth of our pitching staff has given us the opportunity to stay in games,” said Prep coach Anthony Valucci. “Our starters have been able to go deep in games, and our relief guys have done a great job coming in and getting outs for us.
“Offensively, we are a team right now that when things are rolling, everyone is hitting. As we get deeper into the season, we need to find more ways to manufacture runs when our offense is not clicking on all cylinders.”
St. Joe's Prep vs. Archbishop Carroll. (game highlights by Geneva Heffernan)
Two players from Father Judge have established an unprecedented feat. Instead of playing football in the traditional fall, the school opted to compete in the spring. Junior John Westfield and sophomore Liam Newhouse chose to compete in both football and baseball, obviously the first time that has been accomplished in Catholic League history.
The gridiron season ended last week, with the Crusaders finishing 4-2, including a 14-12 victory over another Catholic League team, West Catholic. The Burrs do not have a baseball team this spring.
On April 9, Westfield allowed only two hits and struck out 10 in six innings of a 6-1 win a Conwell-Egan. After the game, he and Newhouse raced over to Father Judge to face Truman High School in football.
Westfield booted two field goals – one from 44 yards – and two extra points while kicking off. Newhouse, a fullback, defensive back, and special teamer, also contributed.
After the game vs. Conwell Egan, PSD reporter Alex Duda caught up with Judge's pitcher John Westfield & catcher Jeff Duda, who was elected to wear FJ’s honorary #27 jersey for the season.
Reporter John Knebels talks 1 on 1 with John Westfield about his historic day.
The Crusaders’ baseball team is 3-2. Along with Westfield’s pitching, shortstop leadoff hitter Brooks Henderson usually sparks the offense.
“Our strength so far this year has been our defense,” said Judge coach Mike Metzger. “We have made all the routine plays and it's kept us in every game.”
Archbishop Carroll started at 1-3, but the Patriots’ win was impressive. In a 4-0 victory at Devon Prep, junior Roman Tozzi was nearly perfect, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out 11. Batting leadoff, he reached base three times and scored two runs.
Unfortunately, coronavirus concerns has landed Carroll into quarantine until April 29.
“Some of our players don’t have great stats now,” said Carroll coach Joe Liciardello, “but all of them have very bright futures and are tremendous talents.”
Archbishop Carroll vs. St. Joe's Prep. (photos: Geneva Heffernan for PSD)
Lansdale Catholic is 1-3 with a win over Archbishop Ryan. Paul Moretski has earned three wins overall and has batted over .500. Moretski is part of a strong senior class that includes Chris Duffy, Matt Costello and Anthony Barbosa.
“Our biggest strengths so far have been the closeness of our team – they enjoy playing together,” said Crusaders coach Brian Ferko. “Other strengths are our starting pitching and defense.
“A concern is our guys making the adjustments they need to make in order to compete with the top teams in the Catholic League. We play in an exceptional league with a lot of talent, and our guys have to be able to adjust to the top-level talent we will see, especially pitching wise. Our guys need to stay mentally tough and keep battling on the field.”
Lansdale Catholic game day photos by: Kathy Leister for PSD.
Roman Catholic is 1-3, with a 3-2 victory over Devon Prep behind the combined pitching of sophomores Tom Flaherty (five innings) and JonCarlo Coia (two innings). Two Cahillite seniors have committed to Division I programs, with Colin Myers heading to St. Joseph’s University and Eric Gialoretto off to Iona College.
The Cahillites went from March 11 until April 6 without any practices or games. Compounding the overall frustration is not having nearby facilities. Roman uses Boyce Field in Roxborough and another in South Philly.
“Covid hit us hard,” said Cahillites coach Bobby Hill. “Other teams in the PCL were practicing and playing games. We sat at home and guys had to work out on their own. We are still suffering and it shows in our record over the first two weeks.
“After not playing the past year, our biggest strength is a willingness to learn and absorb as much information and baseball knowledge as possible. We lost a really experienced team with seven guys playing in college. That hurts us really bad.
Roman Catholic game day photos by: Zamani Feelings for PSD
“We’re finding our top nine to 11 players. We need to compete and see varsity pitching on a constant basis. We continue to improve each day and hopefully it pays dividends in the end.”
After starting the season with four losses, Devon Prep received a welcome boost in the form of a 2-0 victory over Father Judge.
Senior Jack Eshleman (six innings, two hits, five walks, 11 strikeouts) and senior Mike Romano (one inning save) frustrated Judge. Eshleman added an RBI.
“It was definitely really important to get that first win,” said senior Bere Bauers. “We got off to a rough start, but we just needed to get one win to get a run started.”
Devon Prep senior Paul Grycewicz is happy to be back on the field.( video- James Williamson)
Devon Prep senior Tommy Kent talks about season goal's. (video- James Williamson)
Devon Prep senior Jack Eshleman appreciates this season.(video- James Williamson)
Archbishop Ryan was deluged with coronavirus disruptions, costing more than three weeks of preparation, later compounded by the Easter break. Then the Raiders had to go out and play their first game against a strong Neumann-Goretti team.
It didn’t go well.
“We were like the Bad News Bears,” said Ryan coach Mike Lake. “We did our best, but it wasn’t pretty.”
The Raiders have improved since their inauspicious beginning, but much work needs to be done. Seniors DJ Sims, Nick Costanzo, Nick Farlow, Sean Anderson, and Dan Squib are trying to teach the bevy of underclassmen to ignore the early tough start.
“Have to take one step at a time,” said Lake. “Things aren’t always positive. We have to learn to deal with adversity.
“You look at major league baseball. A lifetime .300 hitter is going to make the Hall of Fame, yet he didn’t succeed 70 percent of the time.”
Bishop McDevitt is facing a unique situation because the school will be closing its doors forever this June. Every game, therefore, carries more significance.
“The biggest strength of our team is its versatility,” said McDevitt coach Dave Colella. “All of the players can play more than one position in the field.
“Our biggest concern is a lack of pitching. The games are scheduled close together in a short period of time, and when there are only four pitchers, it’s tough to manage.”
Against a rugged early schedule against three teams – Judge, Bonner-Prendergast, and O’Hara – with a collective record of 9-4, Conwell-Egan remains winless.
(Contact John Knebels at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)
Catholic League Baseball Standings
(Through April 21)
5-0 Archbishop Wood
4-0 La Salle
3-1 Bonner-Prendergast
3-1 Neumann-Goretti
3-1 Cardinal O’Hara
3-1 St. Joseph’s Prep
3-2 Father Judge
1-3 Roman Catholic
1-3 Lansdale Catholic
1-3 Archbishop Carroll
1-4 Devon Prep
0-3 Archbishop Ryan
0-3 Bishop McDevitt
0-3 Conwell-Egan