By John Knebels
Pictures by Kathy Leister & Geneva Heffernan
If St. Joseph’s Prep finishes with a flourish in the Philadelphia Catholic League playoffs that begin this weekend, the Hawks would point to one specific regular-season victory that positively affected their overall pursuit.
On May 11 at Ashburn Field in FDR Park, the Prep stunned Archbishop Wood, 2-1. Though they had taken a 7-2 record into the game, the Hawks lacked a signature victory against the top teams in the PCL.
“The win was huge,” said Prep first-team All-Catholic senior Jimmy King. “I think it shows that we can play with anyone and that we are real contenders in this league.”
The Vikings, who would ultimately finish in second place with an 11-2 record, grabbed a 1-0 lead when PCL Most Valuable Player Ryan Albin doubled and scored on a single by Aiden Myers. In the bottom of the third, the Prep made some noise.
Ryan Cuthbertson led off with a walk and Kyle Donaphon was hit by a pitch. King delivered a single that tied the game at 1-1. Donaphon advanced to third and scored on a wild pitch, and the Hawks had a 2-1 advantage.
Though Alex Neeld (4 for 4) and the Vikings threatened, they were unable to dent Nate Russell (five innings, eight hits, one run, four walks, seven strikeouts) and Andrew Mariano (two-inning save, one hit, one walk, four Ks).
The Vikings’ pitching surrendered only three hits – all of them by King.
“We have known that we are a dangerous team since the beginning of the season,” said King. “It was more about putting the rest of the league on notice.”
St. Joseph's Prep vs. Archbishop Wood game highlights by John Leuzzi:
SJP senior Jimmy King talks about this big win vs. Wood - By Jimmy Stinsman:
A Game That Won’t Be Forgotten
The top teams in the PCL have orchestrated quite a few memorable contests when competing against one another.
Among the most scintillating was Neumann-Goretti’s 4-3 triumph over visiting Bonner-Prendergast on May 10, an affair that ended when Jameson Masino singled home Kevin Opanel with a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth.
Both late-game heroes spoke with Philadelphia Sports Digest’s Geneva Heffernan after an animated team celebration.
“My heart is still going,” said a winded Opanel. “It’s a big win. Everyone did their piece. Whether it was defense, in the box . . . everything.”
Opanel was sensational on the mound. In seven innings, he allowed only three hits and one earned run while walking three and striking out six before handing the reins to Jayce Park, who tossed a one-walk, one-strikeout top of the eighth.
Neumann-Goretti vs. Bonner-Prendergast - PSD Gallery by Geneva Heffernan
In the Saints’ home half, Opanel led off with a walk and moved to second on a single by AJ McGettigan. Masino then ripped a single through the infield, with Opanel sprinting home and sliding head first into home plate for emphasis.
“Our entire team has been waiting for this,” said Masino. “We’re all pumped, especially after last year getting canceled. We’re ready to go and accomplish our goal.”
Neumann-Goretti vs. Bonner-Prendergast Game Highlights by Geneva Heffernan:
NG's Jameson Masino was waiting for the game vs. Bonner-Prendergast all day:
NG's Kevin Opanel talks about scoring on walk-off to give the Saints the victory:
However, said Masino, the Saints need to remain balanced.
“Emotions can be run by adrenaline throughout the game, but you have to stay under control and try not to do too much in order to play good,” said Masino. “You fight against your emotions by staying within yourself and being the same kid that you are every day in practice.”
In defeat, Bonner-Prendergast freshman Jaxon Kehoe stroked four straight hits and Kevin McGonigle was 2-2 with two walks, a run scored, and an RBI.
Perfection in Regular Season
When a team finishes undefeated in the regular season, it needs to win all kinds of games. The squad that does best in one-run games is typically the one that ends up celebrating a championship.
With completing the regular season with a perfect 13-0 record, two-time defending champion La Salle will take a two-year, 16-game PCL winning streak into the post-season. On the three occasions when they were tested most, the Explorers emerged unscathed, upending third-place Neumann-Goretti in eight innings, 3-2, and second-place Archbishop Wood, 3-2.
La Salle vs. Bonner- Prendergast - Photos by Kathy Leister
When La Salle hosted Bonner-Prendergast on May 12, a victory would clinch first place.
“One game at a time,” said La Salle senior Joe Cattie. “It’s so important. Everybody has been grinding. Try and stay as humble as possible.”
Minutes earlier, Cattie had caught the last out on an innocent-looking fly ball to right field. However, if Cattie had misplayed the gimme, Bonner-Prendergast would have tied the game.
“You always have nerves here and there on the last play of the game,” said Cattie, who credited head coach Kyle Werman and outfield coach Kenny Devenny for LaSalle’s preparation. “All the reps we do in practice. We practice those high-pressure situations. You just hope to be as relaxed as you possibly can during that situation.”
Justin Machita talks about his great catch in seventh inning in LaSalle’s 2-1 win over Bonner-Prendergast
Senior outfielder Joe Cattie caught last out to preserve 2-1 victory over Bonner-Prendergast
Two plays earlier, Justin Machita had made a sensational diving grab to avoid a Friars threat.
“Cole (pitcher Cole Kochanowicz) was pounding the zone and did a great job,” said Machita. “It’s easier to play the outfield when the pitcher is throwing strikes because you’re on your toes expecting the ball to be hit out to you.
“It was a tough play. I didn’t think I was going to get it, but I just stuck my glove out there and it went in my glove. You gotta lay out there in a one-run game.”
Neighborhood Rivalry Never Gets Old
Anytime Archbishop Ryan and Father Judge compete in anything, bragger’s rights are at stake.
This year, it’s Father Judge that can do the boasting.
With a bevy of standout performances that included hitting by Brooks Henderson (3-3, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI), Anthony Jakeman (2-4, 2 RBI), Jeff Duda (2-4, 2 runs scored, RBI), and Jaden DeLuca (2-3, 2 runs sored, RBI), and the pitching by Jake Westfield (6 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, three walks, 6 strikeouts) on May 12, the Crusaders blanked the Raiders, 9-0.
Philadelphia Sports Digest’s Alex Duda caught up with Judge’s Jeff Duda and Ryan’s Nick Costanzo after the game. Listen to accompanying interview.
The Post-Season is Underway
After two pre-quarterfinal games yesterday, the Catholic League eight-team playoff is set.
Childhood friends Nick Costanzo (Arch. Ryan) & Jeff Duda (Father Judge) talk about playing against each other in a big neighborhood rivalry game:
Behind David Rodriguez’s pitching gem – complete game, five hits, one run, one walk, 10 strikeouts – seven-seed Father Judge stopped 10-seed Archbishop Carroll, 4-1.
In Lansdale Catholic’s 6-0 whitewash of Cardinal O’Hara, Paul Moretski fired a one-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts.
In tomorrow’s quarterfinals, eight-seed Lansdale Catholic visits top-seed and undefeated LaSalle at noon. Seven-seed Father Judge visits two-seed Archbishop Wood at noon. Six-seed Bonner-Prendergast visits six-seed Neumann-Goretti at noon. Four-seed St. Joseph’s Prep will meet five-seed Devon Prep 4:00 at Archbishop Wood.
(Contact John Knebels at Jknebels@gmail.com on Twitter @johnknebels.)
Tag(s): Home Schools Philadelphia Catholic Baseball Philadelphia Catholic League Arch. Carroll Baseball Arch. Ryan Baseball Arch. Wood Baseball Bonner & Prendie Baseball Cardinal O'Hara Baseball Conwell-Egan Baseball Father Judge Baseball La Salle Baseball Lansdale Cath. Baseball Roman Catholic Baseball Saint Joseph's Prep Baseball Neumann/Goretti Baseball Devon Prep