2018 Catholic League Baseball Round-Up 4/29
Philadelphia Catholic League – It’s not how you start the season . . . it’s how you end it.
At least that’s the theory.
On April 26, St. Joseph’s Prep and Bonner-Prendergast met at Immaculata University for what may have playoff implications in a couple of weeks. After a seesaw affair that saw the Hawks dramatically defeat the visiting Friars, 8-7, SJP improved to 3-5 while B-P dropped to 2-6.
Since only three teams are eliminated from playoff contention at the conclusion of the regular season, Prep’s win could prove to save the season.
SJP vs. McDevitt - highlights by Kathy Leister
“I felt as if the team finally clicked on all cylinders,” said senior Luke Gutos. “We love playing together, but we had a rough stretch of games to start the year. We’ve struggled to limit runs against us all year, and errors have really been a problem, but this win was a glimpse of our potential in the field.”
The Hawks seemed in in control, scoring individual runs in the second through fifth inning to lead, 4-1, heading into the top of the sixth.
The Bonner-Prendergast offense suddenly awakened and scored six runs to take a 7-4 lead. But the Prep didn’t fold. The Hawks rebounded with a pair of runs in the sixth that got them to within 7-6 and two more in the seventh for the comeback victory.
Standing in with the bases loaded and one out, senior third baseball Luke Donaphon supplied the walk-off hit with a long single to left field, scoring senior pinch-runner Jack Clinton from third base.
Donaphon downplayed his own contribution, which equaled or surpassed his game-winning double late in the game during the state playoffs two years ago. Two coincidences later stood out to Donaphon – both games took place at the same venue, and both times he was batting second in the lineup.
“I didn’t have a doubt that I would get the job done,” said Donaphon. “I was trying to drive something to the outside. Right off the bat I knew that even if he caught it, the run was going to score.
“The win was huge for the feeling around our team. We have lost three close ones to very good baseball teams, so to be on the other end of the stick this time is only the beginning of a huge run we are about to put together.”
Three days earlier, the Friars enjoyed a 17-4 romp over Conwell-Egan three days earlier. Sophomore Nate Furman was a force with three hits, two walks, and three RBI. Junior teammates Matt Shepherd and John DeMucci combined for six hits and five RBI.
“It was a great win for us,” said Furman. “We came out with a ton of energy and got out to an early lead in the first inning and never looked back. I saw the ball really well and set the tone from the leadoff spot, which is really important to me.
“My teammates put me in a great spot and have all the confidence in the world in me and I was able to produce a couple times, which felt awesome. I just try and do whatever I can to help my team get a win.”
Aided by senior Adam Jaep’s third hit – a two-run, inside-the-park home run – visiting Neumann-Goretti scored four runs in the fifth inning to down previously undefeated Archbishop Carroll, 7-4. Jaep finished with three hits. Junior Joe Messina fired two flawless innings to save the win for senior starter Colin Eiser.
“Carroll being undefeated really had me and the team fired up for this game,” said Jaep. “These type of games bring out the best in me and my teammates, not to forget about the coaches.
“I love pressure. We thrive through it. It’s what makes the team lock in the most. I knew going in that we were going to battle with them every pitch, and may the tougher team win.”
The other two runs in the fifth came courtesy of senior Joe LaFiora’s two-run double.
“Laf is a warrior and one of our best hitters,” said Jaep. “With two men on and our dugout electric, I don’t think anybody had any doubt that he would drive them both in. I know I didn’t.”
Nor did his teammates.
Carroll vs. Wood Highlight Video by Kathy Leister:
Wood vs. Carroll - Photos by Kathy Leister
Wood vs. Carroll - PSD Photos by Kathy Leister
“This was probably our best all-around game of the year,” said Messina. “It was a tight battle the whole game but we never let up and competed every pitch. A lot of guys stepped up big time and provided the sparks that we needed. If we compete with that same type of energy and intensity that we did yesterday, we can beat anybody in the league.”
Eiser, who in a 7-3 victory over Archbishop Ryan two days earlier had knocked in two runs to help junior Gabe Rappa fire a nine-strikeout, complete game, echoed those sentiments.
“This game established who we are and what we are all about,” said Eiser. “The lineup from top to bottom, as well as our pitching staff, have been locked in and ready to battle, and their contributions show that and will definitely help us come playoff time.
Arch. Ryan vs. Neumann-Goretti Highlight Video by Ryan Jr. Reporter Elvy J. De Coo:
“NG boys are all about ‘fighting for the guy next to you,’ and we will continue to prove that.”
Cardinal O’Hara received a standout effort from Liam Nihill in its 3-2 win over visiting Roman Catholic. The senior allowed two hits and no earned runs while striking out eight. Junior Dan Hopkins’ home run ignited a three-run second innings for the Lions.
“I was getting first-ball strikes a lot,” said Nihill. “All my pitches were on, so my coach had confidence that I could throw them at any time.”
Roman Catholic blanked Lansdale Catholic, 5-0, behind a combined shutout by senior Marquis Wood and sophomore Alex Singer.
“We just played well as a team,” said Wood. “We got out to an early lead and didn’t let up. I was just trying to throw strikes and the guys in the field did their job to make the plays.”
La Salle vs. SJP Highlight Video by Kathy Leister:
La Salle vs. SJP - Photos by Kathy Leister
LCHS vs. SJP - Photos by Kathy Leister
La Salle was a rude visitor at St. Joseph’s Prep. The Explorers scored three in the first and four in the fifth, and that was more than enough in a 9-4 victory. The Explorers’ record of 7-0 now leads the Catholic League.
Senior Joe Miller surrendered one run in 5 1/3 innings. Senior Joe Sortino’s opposite-field, two-run home run pushed La Salle’s lead to 6-1, offsetting a late three-run rally by the Hawks in the seventh. The Explorers aim to treat every opponent, including their main adversary Hawks, equally.
“It’s good to get a win over a rival,” said Miller, “but I think it’s good to treat it as a regular game and not put too much pressure on ourselves to try and force a win.”
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)
Catholic League Standings
(Through April 29)
7-0 LaSalle
6-1 Archbishop Wood
6-1 Neumann-Goretti
5-1 Archbishop Carroll
6-2 Cardinal O’Hara
5-2 Father Judge
3-4 Roman Catholic
3-5 St. Joseph’s Prep
2-6 Archbishop Ryan
2-6 Bonner-Prendergast
1-6 Conwell-Egan
1-7 Lansdale Catholic
0-6 Bishop McDevitt
Tag(s): Home Schools Philadelphia Catholic Baseball Philadelphia Catholic League Arch. Carroll Baseball Arch. Ryan Baseball Arch. Wood Baseball Bishop McDevitt 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 West Catholic Baseball