Photos/Videos: John Knebels & Kathy Leister
By: John Knebels
WYNDMOOR, PA – Junior Tim Gress gobbled down a chicken sandwich, french fries, a Wawa ice tea, and three chocolate chip cookies. Having already brought along his usual turkey and cheese sandwich from home, senior Jaden DeLuca consumed a birthday cake ice cream cone and drank three different flavors of sparkling water.
Nothing like being a pampered celebrity for a day.
The two Father Judge baseball standouts, along with all of their other teammates, enjoyed a free lunch yesterday courtesy of moderator Joe Murray as a small reward for Wednesday afternoon’s 5-1 victory over Roman Catholic in a Philadelphia Catholic League semifinal at La Salle High School. The victory secured the Crusaders’ first berth in a PCL final since Father Judge’s 2000 edition defeated La Salle, 6-4.
Coincidentally, the Crusaders will be taking on the Explorers in Saturday’s 11 AM championship at Neumann University.
Father Judge vs. Roman Catholic - PSD Semifinal Gallery by Kathy Leister
“School was fun,” said Gress, who fired six brilliant innings. “Everyone saying ‘Congrats’ and ‘Great job.’ It was an enjoyable day. The school has really supported us and made known what an opportunity we have on Saturday.”
The only blemish on Father Judge’s 11-1 PCL regular season occurred at the expense of a 7-2 loss to two-seed La Salle that preceded the playoff quarterfinals, during which the Crusaders blanked St. Joseph’s Prep, 10-0.
Against Roman Catholic in the semis, the Crusaders allowed an unearned run to fall behind 1-0 in the first inning. Father Judge answered with a pair of runs in its half when DeLuca doubled home seniors Brooks Henderson and Nick Shiffler, both of whom had walked.
Jaden DeLuca's 2-run double priced to be enough in Judge's semifinal victory - PSD Video by John Knebels
Judge's Tim Gress pitched one of his best games in the most important moment -Video by John Knebels
Roman Catholic head coach Bob Hill was proud of his team's improvement - PSD Video by John KNebels
Over the next five innings, Gress was masterful. He allowed three singles – one of them an infield hit – and struck out eight. His counterpart, Roman junior Myles McNiff, pitched three perfect innings from the second through fourth.
In the fifth, a walk to senior Declan Foy, a double by Henderson, and a walk to senior Anthony Jakeman set the stage for Father Judge’s three insurance runs, courtesy of a wild pitch, an RBI single by Shiffler, and two hit batters.
Armed with a 5-1 lead, two-time junior PCL Pitcher of the Year David Rodriguez pitched the seventh and enjoyed watching a game-ending, highlight-reel double play grounder to second baseman Shiffler. After fielding the ball, Shiffler stepped on second and fired a strike to senior first baseman Sean Moore.
“When the game is on the line, you definitely want the ball,” said Shiffler. “They are the moments you dream of. The ball was hit perfect to make an unassisted double play. I saw the chance and made it happen.”
For the first time in 23 years, Father Judge had earned first-class tickets to the Big Dance.
“This game was very important considering it’s a win or go home situation,” said DeLuca. “At this point in the playoffs, anything can happen. I feel like the energy we had during the game from our teammates really helped us win.
“When you have guys around you who show how bad they want this championship, it really helps a lot. We had a close game with Roman during the regular season (4-2 win on April 5) as well, so we couldn’t take them lightly at all. A lot of us have been together since we were very young, and we’ve always dreamt about this moment.”
Less than 24 hours after the win, the tweet of the game-ending celebration had garnered more than 11,500 views and more than 100 likes – an uncommon reaction to any game by any community.
Father Judge, however, is not just ‘any community.’
Father Judge vs. Roman Catholic - PCL semifinals highlights by PSD's Kathy Leister & John Knebels
Father Judge is heading to the PCL baseball championship for the first time in 23 years - PSD Photo by Kathy Leister
“We saw with our own eyes how many fans we attract and how many people want to be part of this moment,” said Gress. “I can’t wait to make the most of Saturday and hopefully bring home that plaque to FJ.
“When it was mentioned that Judge hasn’t been to the PCL chip since 2000, it really took me by surprise. It showed me that this team can make history for our school and really build up this amazing baseball program.”
Father Judge coach Mike Metzger knows firsthand the opportunity that awaits his players.
As a senior in 1987, Metzger not only celebrated Father Judge’s 6-2 Catholic League championship win over Monsignor Bonner at Temple University’s Erny Field, he contributed mightily by going two-for-two while scoring three runs. Father Judge wouldn’t win again until 2000. Now they return for a chance to make history.
“Winning the PCL was awesome,” said Metzger. “I want so much for these kids to have that experience. They work so hard and have played together for so long.
“In the end, it’s not the stats or at bats you remember. It’s the bus rides, and the camaraderie you develop with each other.”
(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)