ALLENTOWN, PA – One more game.

Thanks to an electric pitching performance by senior Jeff Ciocco and some timely hitting Monday afternoon at Parkland High School, Neumann-Goretti blanked District 11 champion North Schuylkill, 3-0, in a PIAA Class AA state semifinal contest.

By virtue of their second straight shutout and third in their past four games, the Saints will meet District 6 champion Bishop McCort and aim to win for their first-ever state championship 11 AM Thursday at Penn State University’s Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

“I couldn't be more proud of this team,” said N-G coach Kevin Schneider. “They deserve it. Getting there is great. I just hope we can leave it all out on the field one more time.”

Several Neumann-Goretti players have been awaiting Thursday’s game for an entire calendar year. In the 2015 state final, the Saints were walloped, 9-0. While reaching the state final was certainly nothing to be ashamed of, the defeat sullied Neumann-Goretti’s overall accomplishment.

“It's a crazy feeling,” said pitcher-outfielder Ethan Pritchett. “We have some unfinished business to take care of at Penn State.”

Teammate RJ McGettigan agrees.

“It's a great feeling to be back in the state finals,” said the sophomore outfielder. “I have butterflies in my stomach at the thought of winning it all and we couldn't have been able to get here if it weren't for our team effort.”

With the way they (19-5 overall record) have been playing since a sluggish start – currently winners of 12 straight and 14 out of 15, including Catholic League and district titles – the Saints have a chance to become the first Catholic League team in history to win both a basketball and baseball state title in the same season.

N-G’s resurrection has started with lights-out pitching. In the postseason, the Saints have allowed a grand total of seven runs in seven games. In their past four, they have surrendered a measly one run in four contests.

In the final start of his scholastic career, Ciocco was unstoppable. He allowed North Schuylkill (21-5) only two hits and struck out seven. Through five and a half innings, it appeared as though Ciocco would have to hurl a shutout if the Saints were to hold on to their tenuous lead, courtesy of Brian Verratti’s third-inning RBI double in the gap that scored McGettigan, who had singled and moved to second on a bunt by Ciocco.

In the bottom of the sixth, Neumann-Goretti supplied some much-needed breathing room by adding two insurance runs. Sophomore Colin Eiser led off with a single and scored on a double by sophomore Aidan Baur. Senior Lou Testa’s single brought home Baur.

“I was looking for something to hit and I was able to drive it to left field,” said Baur. “It was a good feeling giving our team a little comfort going into the seventh inning. Even though it was definitely a lot easier having the extra runs, the way Jeff was pitching, we were confident a one run lead.”

Schneider admitted that he breathed a bit easier heading into the seventh with a three-run edge.

“I never feel comfortable until the 21st out is made, so those two insurance runs, both with two out, were absolutely massive,” said Schneider. “With a guy like Ciocco on the mound and what he's done this year, you feel comfortable that he's going to get three outs before they get three runs. He was unbelievable.”

Schneider is constantly amazed at what his crew has been able to achieve this spring.

“After the way we started off and the amount that we grew as a team, it's the most satisfying season of my coaching career,” he said. “Honestly, not to sound cliché, but this team is what Neumann Goretti and South Philly toughness is all about. We knew early that we were young, and it would take some time to find our identity. But we did, and it starts and finishes with each guy being willing to do whatever it takes for the guy next to him. Our senior leaders set the tone, and our young guys have bought in and responded tremendously.”

In the final, Pritchett will receive the starting nod on what will easily be his most pressure-filled moment on the hill.

“I have good jitters in my stomach,” said Pritchett. “I've been waiting on this since last year’s loss.”

(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)