Photos/Videos: John Knebels, Tommy Muir & Kathy Leister
By: John Knebels
PHILADELPHIA – This is the way it’s supposed to be.
When Bonner-Prendergast and Archbishop Wood meet in tomorrow’s Philadelphia Catholic League championship at the University of Pennsylvania, the top two seeds will do battle.
Both finalists reached the PCL final thanks mostly to one big inning and great all-around pitching in their respective semifinal victories.
“It’s extremely exciting,” said Bonner-Prendergast coach Steve DeBarberie. “Our kids have been locked it from the start of the season and never play with any pressure. They just go out there and play good, hard, fundamental baseball.
“Pitching and defense has carried us this far. We have been getting timely hits, and that is what we will look to do Saturday.”
Bonner-Prendergast has engineered one of the finest seasons in the rich history of the Catholic League.
After scoring all of their runs in the fourth inning and beating Neumann-Goretti, 5-1, Wednesday afternoon at FDR Park’s Showcase Field, the Friars maintained their perfect season.
After going 12-0 before the playoffs and adding wins over eight-seed Roman Catholic and the four-seed Saints to reach the final, the Friars would become the fifth team in Catholic League history to complete an undefeated campaign.
In the semifinal, a pair of two-run singles by sophomore Jaxon Kehoe and senior Joe DeMucci, along with outstanding pitching from senior Kevin Henrich (4 scoreless innings, 3 hits, no walks, five strikeouts) and Kehoe (three innings, three hits, one run, two strikeouts), placed Bonner-Prendergast in position to earn its fourth PCL title and first since 2010.
“Just keep playing our game,” said DeMucci, explaining B-P’s approach this season. “Just like our coach says, it’s just nine other guys.”
In typical fashion, Kehoe’s unflappable demeanor garnered clutch results.
PCL Semifinal Highlights: Bonner-PRendergast vs. Neumann-Goretti - by Tommy Muir
PCL Semifinal Gallery: MBAP vs. Neumann-Goretti - PSD Gallery by Tommy Muir
Along with a steady bat, Kehoe has significantly contributed to a pitching staff that has allowed a miserly two runs or fewer in 12 of the Friars’ 14 league games.
“I was very comfortable going into that at bat,” said Kehoe, whose two-run single increased B-P’s lead to 3-0. “I knew I needed to step up and do something big for the team because I haven’t really done anything big at the plate this season for the team. I was just relaxed and not pressing or getting tight. I stayed calm and just did I what I knew I could do.
“I knew I was coming in relief but didn’t know it was going to be that early in the game, so I just went to the mound like I have done all year and pitched like I have been pitching.”
MBAP pitcher Kevin Henrich talks about his mindset on the mound and at the plate & addresses championship preparation – PSD Video by Tommy Muir
MBAP coach Steve DeBarberie lauds Henrich’s performance vs. a talented Neumann-Goretti team & talks about what it’s going to take to win the PCL title – PSD Video by Tommy Muir
About 100 yards away on FDR Park’s Ashburn Field, Bonner-Prendergast’s next opponent, Archbishop Wood, successfully avenged a bitter 3-2, 8-inning defeat to La Salle in last year’s final with a 6-1 triumph over the three-time defending champion Explorers.
The Vikings will be vying for their fourth PCL title and first since 2015.
Trailing 1-0 heading into the fifth, the Vikings patiently took advantage of pitching wildness to take a 2-1 lead. Following a one-out hit batter and two walks that loaded the bases, senior Sean Slowinski singled home two runs.
Having stranded six base runners through the first four innings, the Vikings were visibly and audibly relieved.
“Things didn’t go our way early,” said Wood coach Jim DiGuiseppe, Jr. “But we kept playing baseball once again and we found a way to push through and came up with some clutch hits late in the game, and that’s all you can ask.
“I was super happy for Sean coming up in a key situation and getting a key hit for us there. You want your guys in those crunch situations to embrace it and kind of step up, and he did there. I was happy for him.”
Slowinski was even more pleased.
“I put the past behind me and focused on the present,” said Slowinski. “I’ve been struggling lately and I just had to come through for my team. It felt so good. Just like a relief off your shoulders."
The Vikings broke the game open in the sixth, sending eight batters to the plate and tallying four runs.
PCL Semifinal Highlights: Archbishop Wood vs. La Salle - PSD Video by John Knebels:
PCL Semifinal Gallery: Wood vs. La Salle - PSD Gallery by Kathy Leister
Senior Pat McKinney singled home sophomore Braden Kelly (lead-off single) to make it 3-1. After an error added a run, Slowinski erased all anxiety by ripping another two-run single that scored two more and gave the suddenly hot first baseman four RBI.
All that was left was for senior pitcher Connor Woodson to finish off the Explorers.
Having entered with one out in the third and Wood trailing 1-0, Woodson engineered 4.2 mega-clutch innings in relief to earn the win. The side-arm lefty surrendered three hits, no walks, and he whiffed three.
“Connor Woodson . . . you can’t say enough about him,” said DiGuiseppe, Jr. “We’ve been using him in that middle relief role all year and Connor once again answered the bell. He’s embraced that role.”
Wood senior Sean Slowinski's 4 RBI & great defensive play sparked the Vikings past La Salle - PSD Video by john Knebels
Wood senior Connor Woodson tossed 4.2 perfect innings against hard-hitting La Salle - PSD video by John KNebels
From the fourth through seventh innings, LaSalle reached second base only once, and that occurred after an error and stolen base.
“I know we needed a little pickup,” said Woodson, who next year will play at Alvernia University. “Just tried to stay confident and work ahead. That’s all I need to do.”
The Vikings frustrated the aggressive Explorers with strong defense.
Standout plays included Slowinski ending the second inning by gobbling up a grounder, stepping on first, and firing a laser to senior shortstop Aiden Myers, who put down a quick tag to close out a double play and un-trap the Vikings from what began as a bases loaded, no-out situation.
In the sixth, the Vikings again flexed their leather. With one on and one out, junior right fielder Dariel Tiburcio made a fully extended dive to rob a single. The next batter appeared to single, but Myers made a highlight stop and fired to first base for the out.
Add in McKinney throwing out would-be base runners in both the third and fifth innings, and it’s easy to see why Woodson was so complimentary to his fielders.
“That’s huge,” said Woodson. “I got picked up so many times. Little flares that were caught, and Myers made a great play in the sixth. It was huge. I needed it.”
Wood coach Jim DiGuiseppe Jr. compliments his players, La Salle & next opponent Bonner-Prendergast - PSD Video by John KNebels
A big catch in right field by junior Dariel Tiburcio was part of Archbishop Wood's standout defense - PSD Video by John Knebels
McKinney, who clubbed a season-saving, three-run homer in the 4-2 quarterfinal win over St. Joseph’s Prep, said he did not take La Salle’s constant base stealing attempts personally.
The likeable catcher took responsibility for La Salle’s unearned run in the third inning.
“I knew it was part of their game since they did it a ton when we played the first time,” said McKinney. “My defense personally felt like one of my best, but it definitely wasn’t my best.
“I cost us a run by not being able to block a dropped third strike, which ended up costing us a run. I have to be able to limit those mistakes when our pitchers make great pitches.”
Myers said defeating La Salle exorcised last year’s disappointment.
“This was huge,” said Myers. “They beat us twice in great games last year and to come back next season and beat them twice felt great. I love competing with them. It’s always a good, fun game, and that’s honestly what it’s all about.”
Back on April 25, Bonner-Prendergast crushed the host Vikings, 13-2. Although one-run wins and 11-run wins count the same, the deluge left an imprint.
Although getting leveled on their own turf was lousy, coming so close to winning a PCL title but losing in eight innings hurt much worse.
“We still have one more game left,” said Myers, “which is what I’m looking forward to right now because I know the feeling of coming just short of a championship.
“I don’t want to feel that ever again.”
(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)
Championship Details:
Who: Bonner-Prendergast vs. Archbishop Wood
When: 11:00 a.m.
Where: University of Pennsylvania - Meiklejohn Stadium