SOUTH PHILADELPHIA – The bases were loaded, there were no outs, and the Philadelphia Catholic League led by only 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh.
For a pitcher and catcher, few situations harvest more anxiety.
“Going into the seventh inning, we’re nine outs from going to Citizens Bank Park,” said La Salle High School catcher Andrew Cossetti, referring to the contest June 17 versus Delaware South at FDR Park in South Philadelphia. “It’s pretty nerve-wracking. There’s so much going through your mind.”
Carpenter Cup Quarterfinal
Two strikeouts and a shallow fly out to center field later, Cossetti and Archbishop Wood junior pitcher Sean Hughes hurried to the dugout, where they were met with high fives and congratulatory pats.
The PCL had survived the drama unblemished, and when they batted in the top of the eighth, a collection of contributions resulted in two insurance runs. Six outs later, the PCL walked off the field 5-2 victors. On June 21 at Citizens Bank Park (1 PM), they will face defending champion Suburban One League in the semifinals of the Carpenter Cup Classic, a 31-year tournament that pits competition among 16 elite leagues of the tri-state area.
“I just tried to bear down,” said Hughes. “Just try to throw strikes. Hit my spots. Trust the catcher. Get that first out.”
Hughes complimented Cossetti for his ability to block pitches, which Cossetti did on two occasions that would have resulted in a run or two for Delaware South.
La Salle catcher Andrew Cossetti talks about a pivotal seventh inning
La Salle sophomore Andrew Cossetti drives home Arch. Wood senior Bobby Heck with a key insurance run in the 8th inning
Defending the dish is an aspect of catching that Cossetti takes quite seriously.
“It’s something I like to work on a lot,” he said. “Hopefully I can hold up my end of the bargain behind the plate.”
Both he and senior Bonner-Prendergast catcher Steve Furman did that, and then some. In the fifth inning, Furman erased a Delaware runner by picking him off third base.
Manager Joe DeBarberie addresses the team after Philadelphia Catholic League's 5-2 victory - PSD Photo
Meanwhile, the pitching of Neumann-Goretti senior starter and winning pitcher Jeff Ciocco (two innings of perfect ball), Archbishop Carroll junior James Kelly (two strong frames in the fifth and sixth), Hughes, Roman Catholic junior Aidan Welch, and Archbishop Wood junior Kody Cracknell (one-two-three save in the ninth) surrendered only eight hits and two walks while striking out seven.
The PCL defense, particularly its outfield, was outstanding.
“What a great job,” said PCL head coach Joe DeBarberie of Bonner-Prendergast. “We were a little shorthanded with our pitching because of some injuries, and some players were asked to play out of position, but that didn’t faze them.
“These are all good kids. They like each other. There are no rivalries. It’s a special experience.”
Two more wins, and the PCL will have its fourth Carpenter Cup title and first since 2005.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)
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