Baseball Catholic League State Playoff Recaps, 2009-

Philadelphia High School Baseball
Recaps of Catholic League State Playoff Games, 2009-

2009
CLASS AAAA
FIRST ROUND
At La Salle University
SJ Prep 4, Garnet Valley 3
Kyle Mullen struck out nine while yielding as many hits as the Prep built a 4-0 lead, then held on. The final out was recorded as Ray Toto threw out a would-be basestealer at second. Kyle Gillen drove home a run in the fourth. Toto (on a double) and Jeff Lynch (two-run single) had RBI in a three-run fifth. This was the CL's first win in a state baseball playoff, as the game started one hour earlier than Neumann-Goretti's. Lynch, leading off the second in the cleanup spot, posted the first hit on a line drive single to center. Greg "Buddy" Brooks, son of football coach Gil Brooks, was the Hawks' first baserunner (one-out walk in the first).
QUARTERFINAL
At Glen Mills
SJ Prep 2, West Chester East 1
Following two postponements caused by rain, coach Chris Rupertus opted to bring back Kyle Mullen on four days' rest. The result -- a two-hitter (one was a misjudged popup) with seven strikeouts. The Hawks scored twice in the third without a hit as RBI went to Greg "Buddy" Brooks (fielder's choice) and Jeff Lynch (sac fly). Ray Toto collected two hits.
SEMIFINAL
CLASS AAAA
At Spring-Ford
Parkland 6, SJ Prep 2
Three errors and a balk dumped the Hawks into a 3-0 hole in the first and they were no-hit through six innings. Pinch-hitter Bobby Della Polla led off the seventh with a single and Ray Toto followed with the first homer by a Catholic League player in PIAA playoff history. Pat Carbone pitched 3 2/3 innings of shutout relief (one hit, six whiffs).
CLASS AAA
FIRST ROUND
At Stump Stadium, Pine Grove
Neumann-Goretti 8, Blue Mountain 4 (8 inn.)
With two away in the home seventh, Al Baur served up a game-tying, two-run homer. His teammates had his back, though, witness their four-run eighth. Dom Riverso drove in two runs with a triple (he doubled earlier), Marty Venafro got another one home with a fielder's choice and Reno Regalbuto delivered an RBI single. Baur finished with 10 strikeouts in a five-hitter.
QUARTERFINAL
At Spring-Ford
Neumann-Goretti 1, Twin Valley 0
Under gray skies and occasional rain, Mark Donato spun a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts and allowed no one beyond second base. The Saints scored in the third on a double steal as Reno Regalbuto thieved second and Marty Venafro ran home. As did some N-G parents, Regalbuto acknowledged afterward that he'd probably been tagged out (that call would have ended the inning). TV's players and coach convinced the second base ump to confer with his partner at first; the call stood.
SEMIFINAL
At Wenger Field, Fredericksburg
Abington Heights 9, Neumann-Goretti 4
Nicky Nardini gave the Saints a 1-0 lead with a second-inning single, but AH roared back with four runs and finished with 13 total hits. Al Baur went 2-for-4 with a two-run single, cutting the deficit to 7-4. Dom Riverso also posted two hits.
CLASS AA
FIRST ROUND
At La Salle University
Tulpehocken 8, Kennedy-Kenrick 1
Christian "Ya-Ya" Walker stroked two of the five hits managed by the Wolverines, who whiffed 14 times. Coach Tom Sergio sent six subs to the plate in the seventh. Evan Basile led off with a single and eventually scored on a strikeout/wild pitch/bad throw trifecta.

2010
CLASS AAAA
FIRST ROUND
At Richie Ashburn Field
Great Valley 4, Bonner 1
Matt Ruggieri's RBI single gave Bonner a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Josh VanHorn and Steve Markus had the Friars' only other hits. Anthony DiGalbo took the loss. The final 14 Friars went down in order.
CLASS AAA
FIRST ROUND
At La Salle High
Wood 10, West York 6
The Vikings spotted West York a 6-0 lead, then roared back with five apiece in the second and sixth. Kyle McCrossen's two-run single highlighted the second. In the sixth, Matt McAllister barely beat the relay to prevent an inning-ending doubleplay and drive in the tying run. Brian O'Grady and McAllister then scored on a hit-error combo and Brady McNab capped the outburst with a two-homer over the fence in dead rightfield. Larry Brittingham won in relief. His 2.2 innings included no runs, no hits and four strikeouts. The game started at 4. Wood's graduation had begun five hours earlier at Villanova's Pavilion.
QUARTERFINAL
At Boyertown
Twin Valley 2, Wood 0
Jeff Courter allowed eight hits, but worked out of several jams to limit TV to two runs. Alas, Wood managed just one hit, Kyle McCrossen's first inning single. Thinking he'd homered, McCrossen was slow out of the box. The ball hit the fence and he was gunned down at second.
CLASS AA
FIRST ROUND
At Richie Ashburn Field
Kennedy-Kenrick 2, Delone Catholic 1
In just 1:21, Joe Harvey kept the Wolverines' athletic program alive by mowing down 10 in a three-hitter. Rob Barth (fifth inning) and Sal DiPrinzio (one out in home seventh) delivered RBI singles. Barth walked to start the seventh. Alex Frederick bunted him over, then Cullen Rota (2-for-3) was issued an intentional walk before DiPrinzio surfaced as the final hero. Before the game, Harvey used tweezers to remove a small piece of broken glass from the ball of his left foot. The night before, he'd walked barefoot around Ocean City, N.J., while celebrating Senior Week.
QUARTERFINAL
At Northern York
Loyalsock 9, Kennedy-Kenrick 1
The Wolverines went quietly in the final game of the school's 17-year existence. Greg Guidone, immediately following one by Anthony Carr, rapped the last hit in K-K history in the seventh. An error loaded the bases, but the next two batters were retired. The Wolverines were held hitless for four frames. Rob Barth posted the final RBI.

2011
CLASS AAAA
FIRST ROUND
At Richie Ashburn Field
Council Rock South 8, Bonner 3
The Friars fell into an 8-0 hole before posting three in the fifth on Jamie Juisti's RBI single and Jim Haley's two-run double. Matt Dolan started for Bonner.
CLASS AAA
FIRST ROUND
At Richie Ashburn Field
Twin Valley 3, Neumann-Goretti 1
Only one of this game's runs was earned and it went to TV. John Snyder singled twice and scored for N-G, which finished a wonderful season 22-1, while Joey Gorman allowed seven hits (all singles) and three walks while striking out nine. The Saints advanced runners to second and third in the home seventh. A strikeout ended it.
CLASS AA
DISTRICT 1-12 SUBREGIONAL SEMIFINAL
At Glen Mills
Springfield Montco 5, Conwell-Egan 1
At Glen Mills, Matt Brach doubled and C-E scored a first inning run. This result meant C-E and Esperanza, the Pub's AA champ, would not play for the City Title.

2012
CLASS AAAA
FIRST ROUND
At La Salle University
La Salle 10, Upper Dublin 1
Kevin Long scattered five hits and fanned three over six innings, and helped himself with two RBI. The Explorers' five-run fourth, reversing a 1-0 deficit, was highlighted by Chris Melillo's two-run double.
QUARTERFINAL
At Muhlenberg High
La Salle 7, Central Dauphin 6
The Explorers overcame deficits of 2-0 and 5-3 and the disappointment of losing a 6-5 lead in the visiting seventh. Ryan Otis' sacrifice fly to left won it while Chris Melillo went 3-for-4 with four RBI, a one-run single in the third and a three-run double over the centerfielder's head in the sixth. Colin Pyne (single) and Tyler Kozeniewski (triple) drove in runs in the fifth, providing a 3-2 lead. Dom Cuoci took a liner off the inner part of his left foot in the third and toughed out five innings. The win went to Mike Piscopo, who moved over from third base and gloved a liner to retire the one batter he faced.
SEMIFINAL
At Spring-Ford High
La Salle 7, Hatboro-Horsham 5
P.J. Acierno used a single and triple (worth two apiece) to bag four RBI and after drawing a walk to bring home an insurance run, Dom Cuoci fired a 1-2-3 seventh to save Kevin Long's win. The Explorers rallied from a 5-2 deficit.
FINAL
At Penn State
La Salle 3, Council Rock South 1
Kevin Long allowed hits to South's second and third batters, then a passed ball put runners on second and third. He escaped unscathed and wound up twirling a three-hitter with eight strikeouts and one walk as the Explorers became the first CL squad to win a state baseball title. The RBI went to Colin Pyne, Mike Piscopo and Dom Cuoci on singles and Corey Baiada started the two-run fourth with a double. South scored on a three-base error followed by a sac fly. Discounting one shaky inning, Long fashioned a 1.11 ERA through the playoffs (2.17 total).
CLASS AAA
FIRST ROUND
At La Salle University
Neumann-Goretti 2, Twin Valley 0
Joe Kinee went the distance, allowing seven hits, striking out five and wriggling out of bases-loaded situations in the fourth through sixth innings. TV stranded 12 runners total. Kinee's single drove in the first run and Josh Ockimey added a homer.
QUARTERFINAL
At Muhlenberg High
Neumann-Goretti 9, Blue Mountain 2
On June 7, a pair of 57-minute weather delays forced a suspension with the score tied at 2-2 in the home fourth. Marty Venafro started the resumption with a sac fly and Josh Ockimey followed with a 380-foot, three-run homer to center. It was his fourth postseason dinger. Venafro wound up with three RBI on no hits while John LaMotta (four innings) and Joe Jaep did the pitching.
SEMIFINAL
At Spring-Ford High
Lampeter-Strasburg 2, Neumann-Goretti 0
The behavior of some N-G fans caused S-F officials to summon local police and, irate about the result of three major calls, coach Mike Zolk maintained the umps had "cheated." The Saints were no-hit through six. Josh Ockimey (HBP) reached base to start the seventh and Jimmy Kerrigan fired a double to right-center. A strikeout later, Joey Glennon, 1-for-22 in the postseason to that point but terrific at second base, inside-outed a one-run single to right. A squeeze bunt by Mario DiFebbo got a run home; nope, the plate ump ruled the ball had hit him off the bat. He also got down the next bunt, but Kerrigan slipped at third and was unable to score. Meanwhile, Glennon was colliding hard with L-S' second baseman and obstruction was called. The umps' decision left the bases loaded. A strikeout and forceout off Nicky Nardini's smoked one-hopper to third ended it.
CLASS AA
None. Conwell-Egan lost in District 1-12 subregional semifinal.

2013
CLASS AAAA
FIRST ROUND
At Ashburn Field
Pennridge 11, La Salle 4
The winners' first four hitters combined to go 12-for-17 with four RBI and eight runs scored. All 27 hits in the game were singles. Pennridge won that contest, 19-8. For La Salle, Nick Dermo went 2-for-3 with two RBI, Jimmy Herron went 3-for-4 with a run scored and Pete Auteri turned two hits into one RBI.
CLASS AAA
FIRST ROUND
At La Salle High
West York 9, Bonner-Prendie 6 (8 inn.)
The Friars scored two apiece in the fourth, fifth and sixth after WY plated its first six batters in the visiting first. Two of the three runs in the eighth were unearned. Dan Furman pitched eight innings in relief, allowing five hits. He added two RBI. Frank Saviski went 2-for-4 with one RBI.
CLASS AA
FIRST ROUND
At Ashburn Field
Salisbury 6, Neumann-Goretti 2 (8 inn.)
The visitors won the extra frame, 5-1. For N-G, Pat Doudican went 2-for-3 while RBI were posted by Charlie Jerla (single) and Joey Glennon (grounder). John La Motta went 7 1/3 innings.

2014
CLASS AAAA
FIRST ROUND
At Ashburn Field
La Salle 6, Boyertown 3
Though Dominic Cuoci allowed 10 hits, six never left the infield. Nick Dermo (first inning, single), Jimmy Herron (fourth, single) and Cuoci (fourth, double to base of fence in right) lashed hits worth two RBI apiece.
QUARTERFINAL
At Parkland High, in Allentown
La Salle 3, Hazleton 1
This one featured an all-time crazy ending. With two away and the bases loaded in the home seventh, Robert John hit a grounder toward shortstop AJ Grezeszak. It never got to him. The ball hit the baserunner, ending the game. John Scheffey went the distance while RBI went to Dominic Cuoci (groundout in first), Nick Dermo and Brian Buckley (back-to-back walks in fifth). Brad Schneider and Jimmy Herron halved four hits. This rare night game started at 7:11.
SEMIFINAL
At Neumann University, in Aston
La Salle 3, Spring-Ford 0
Dominic Cuoci fired a two-hitter with nine strikeouts and notched the game-winning RBI with a squib infield single in the sixth. Brian Buckley and Nick Dermo added authoritative RBI singles in that same frame. Cuoci showed his brass in the second inning after Shane Emrich thumped a leadoff triple. He whiffed the next three batters.
FINAL
At Penn State
La Salle 4, Conestoga 2 (8 inn.)
Working on three days' rest, Dominic Cuoci became eligible to earn the win when Brian Buckley lined a two-run single to center in the visiting eighth. John Scheffey posted the save with a 1-2-3 bottom half. The state title was the Explorers' second in three years and, as in 2012, they rebounded after falling short for Catholic League honors. Buckley finished 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI and twice made strong plays at first base to prevent throwing errors. Cuoci (single) and Jimmy Herron (sac fly) had the Explorers' earlier RBI. Cuoci allowed eight hits (three did not leave the infield) and two walks (one intentional) while striking out two.
CLASS AAA
FIRST ROUND
At La Salle High
Northeastern 3, Wood 1
Matt Funk scored the Vikings' only run on a fielder's choice off Erik Bowren's bat. Joe Lancellotti started the seventh with a double, but the momentum was not sustained.
CLASS AA
FIRST ROUND
At La Salle High
Neumann-Goretti 5, Berks Catholic 3
Charlie Jerla, in relief, pitched shutout ball (three hits) over the final six innings as the Saints overcame an early scare. Pat Doudican was touched for three unearned runs (no hits) in the first and was replaced by Jerla after walking the leadoff batter in the second. Tommy Nardini stroked a two-run single in the fourth as a three-spot reversed a 3-2 deficit.
QUARTERFINAL
At Parkland High, in Allentown
Neumann-Goretti 1, Bloomsburg 0
Ethan "E" Pritchett spun a two-hitter with nine punchouts as the Saints won by shutout for the fifth time in 10 postseason contests; the MLB record is four by the Giants in 1905, 2010 and '12 and the Yankees in '98. The run scored in the third thanks to singles by Brian Verratti and Vinny Vaccone, a passed ball and a wild pitch.
SEMIFINAL
At Northern York High, in Dillsburg
Loyalsock 4, Neumann-Goretti 3
Poor throws on rundowns enabled Loyalsock to leave behind a 2-2 tie with one run apiece in the fifth and sixth. In the seventh, with two away and two strikes, recent Boston Red Sox draftee (fifth round) Josh Ockimey sent a scorcher down the leftfield line for an RBI double. Another runner tried to score from first, but was tagged out by the catcher in a short rundown between third and home. Reliever Charlie Jerla allowed an unearned run in the sixth; it was the only run (of any kind) scored against him in 23 postseason innings. Ockimey also had a sac fly and milked two walks.

2015
CLASS AAAA
FIRST ROUND
At Ashburn Field
SJ Prep 2, West Chester East 0
Colin Scanlon allowed four hits and five walks, but fanned eight en route to posting a complete-game shutout. The Hawks' runs scored on Tyler Clark's sacrifice fly and Steve Bernhardt's single. Like all first round games over the four classifications for District 12's teams, this one wasn't played until Wednesday (instead of Monday) due to persistent rain.
QUARTERFINAL
At Easton
Wyoming Valley West 2, SJ Prep 1
John Coppola's RBI single provided the Hawks a 1-0 lead in the fourth. With nobody out in the seventh, Coppola reached second thanks to an error and a passed ball. His teammates could not bring him home, however. Tyler Clark's double was one of five Prep hits. JT Gosweiler and Andrew Magiera divided the pitching.
CLASS AAA
FIRST ROUND
At Methacton
Twin Valley 2, Wood 0
Joey Lancellotti whiffed 13 and allowed just one hit over 6 1/3 innings, but also experienced early control problems as TV scored twice in the first on a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch. In the home seventh, with two away and two runners on, Lancellotti laced a liner that was caught at the base of the leftfield fence. Austin Hill's double was one of Wood's four hits.
CLASS AA
FIRST ROUND
At Ashburn Field
Neumann-Goretti 4, Devon Prep 2
Nicky D'Amore (third inning, to left) and winning pitcher Pat Doudican (seventh inning, to right, breaking a 2-2 tie) cracked two-run singles. Doudican gave himself the win with his base knock. Ethan "E" Pritchett earned the save.
QUARTERFINAL
At Stump Stadium, Pine Grove
Neumann-Goretti 5, Camp Hill 1
The Saints scored all of their runs in the middle three innings thanks mostly to Pat Doudican (sac fly), Tommy Nardini (two-run single) and Brian Verratti (one-run single). Gino Tripodi (nine strikeouts) went the distance and forced CH to strand two runners in the seventh.
SEMIFINAL
At Wenger Field, Fredericksburg
Neumann-Goretti 9, Loyalsock 1
Due to wicked rain, this game only made it to the fourth inning (5-0 lead for N-G) on Monday . . . and it wasn't finished until Wednesday. Starter Ethan "E" Pritchett gave way to Pat Doudican for the completion. Doudican fired no-hit ball over his 3 2/3 innings, but did walk in a run. Big hits came from Nicky D'Amore (solo homer) and Lou Testa (two-run single) on Monday, then from Tommy Nardini (2-run-single) on Wednesday. Also, Matt McKeown went 2-for-4 with a triple and one RBI.
FINAL
At Penn State
Neshannock 9, Neumann-Goretti 0
The Saints fanned 11 times, were held to three hits and advanced no one past second base until the seventh inning. With two out, pinch-hitter Phil Cardella walked and Lou Testa smoked a ground-rule double to deep left. A strikeout ended it. Neshannock expanded a 2-0 lead with one run in the sixth and six in the seventh. N-G, the basketball kingpins in AAA, missed out on a chance to become just the fourth school in Pennsylvania history to win two state titles in the three major sports in the same academic year. The dual feat would have been the first to involve baseball.

2016
CLASS AAAA
FIRST ROUND
At Neumann University
Council Rock North 2, Judge 1
Staff ace Dan Hammer gave himself a 1-0 lead with a run-scoring single in the visiting fourth, but was victimized for two unearned runs (fourth, sixth). Judge left two runners on base in the seventh.
CLASS AAA
FIRST ROUND
At La Salle High
Susquehanna Twp. 6, Wood 5
Powered by Sean Kelly's two-run double, Wood exploded for four runs in the first inning. Over time, ST scored six runs despite bagging just two hits. It also milked 10 walks.
CLASS AA
FIRST ROUND
At Washington
Neumann-Goretti 5, Lancaster Catholic 1
A three-run double by RJ McGettigan provided major support for Jeff Ciocco, who scattered seven hits and recorded six strikeouts. Jared Healey and Lou Testa added RBI singles -- the Saints scored all five runs in a bat-around third -- and Brian Verratti made a fifth-inning catch in center to prevent what might have been a three-run homer.
QUARTERFINAL
At Pottsville
Neumann-Goretti 1, North Penn-Mansfield 0 (9 inn.)
Ethan "E" Pritchett (seven innings, 10 Ks) and Jared Healey (two, two) divided the pitching. In the home ninth, Joe LaFiora led off with a single and yielded to pinch-runner Steve Pizza. He advanced to second as RJ McGettigan's bunt was misplayed and to third on Pritchett's bunt single. Brian Verratti then created a wild celebration by scorching a liner over the third baseman's head for a game-ending single.
SEMIFINAL
At Allentown Parkland
Neumann-Goretti 3, North Schuylkill 0
Jeff Ciocco fired a two-hitter with seven strikeouts and provided a major highlight in the sixth, escaping a bases-loaded situation in the sixth. Brian Verratti's double provided a 1-0 lead in the third. The Saints added two runs in the sixth on Aidan Baur's double to the fence and Lou Testa's single.
FINAL
At Penn State
Neumann-Goretti 3, Bishop McCort 0
While enabling the Saints to seize their third state championship of the school year (also boys/girls basketball), Ethan "E" Pritchett fired a three-hitter with eight strikeouts, five walks and a 123 pitch count. Brian Verratti reached base in all four of his plate appearances, drawing two walks, getting plunked once and creating a 3-0 lead with a two-run, fifth-inning triple to right-center. He also stole three bases and scored a first-inning run on a steal/E-2 combo. RJ McGettigan had two of N-G's five hits. N-G became the fifth school in Pennsylvania history to win two boys state titles in the three major sports in the same academic year. This dual feat was the first to involve baseball. Also, the Saints were the first CL baseball team to accomplish a CL/CT/states sweep. Heavy rain caused a 108-minute delay just before McCort, of Johnstown, batted in the home fourth. When play resumed, Pritchett walked three before humping up for a two-out, looking third strike. In four rounds of state playoffs, N-G allowed just one run total and none over the last 24 innings (1, 9, 7, 7) and Pritchett yielded no runs over his final 26 innings of the season -- six in a CL semi vs. Bonner-Prendie, six in the City Title vs. MaST Charter (Joe Messina finished), seven in a state quarterfinal vs. North Penn-Mansfield (that game went nine innings, Jared Healey finished) and seven in this one.

2017
CLASS 6A
FIRST ROUND
At Immaculata University
SJ Prep 3, North Penn 1
Colin Scanlon allowed three hits and an unearned run while going the distance. The Hawks scored thrice in the visiting sixth. Luke Donaphon smacked a two-run double to deep left and the other run scored on an infield single/error combo off Greg Martin's bat.
QUARTERFINAL
At Muhlenberg High
Dallastown 5, SJ Prep 1
The Hawks gave up just two hits, but walks and errors caused major problems in this night game (6:30 start). Dallastown scored three runs in the first on no hits. A lengthy stint by reliever Pat Woltemate was highlighted by five scoreless innings.
CLASS 5A
FIRST ROUND
At La Salle High
Upper Moreland 2, Wood 0
For Wood, Mike Ferrara went 2-for-3 and Greg Cannon doubled.
CLASS 4A
FIRST ROUND
At La Salle High
West York 7, Bonner-Prendie 3
The Friars' RBI were provided by Tim Dougherty (single) and Dom Dellabarba (sac fly).
CLASS 3A
FIRST ROUND
At Wood
Oley Valley 6, Conwell-Egan 5
Rain suspended this one two days earlier after OV scored twice in the first inning. It could not be resumed the following day due to C-E's graduation ceremony. The Eagles battled back from a 5-2 deficit before falling. Bryce Trimble (three RBI) and Will Zimmerman both went 3-for-4 with a double. Chris Furey stroked two hits and scored three runs.
CLASS 2A
FIRST ROUND
At Wood
Neumann-Goretti 4, Dock Mennonite 3
Phil Sanborn entered the seventh with a no-hitter, but DM used two hits to rally for three runs and get the tying run on base. Sanborn fanned six. Aidan Baur contributed an RBI double and R.J. McGettigan went 2-for-3. This game was postponed the previous day due to rain.
QUARTERFINAL
At Easton
Neumann-Goretti 13, Old Forge 10
The Saints erased a 9-7 deficit with six runs in the home fifth and Jared Healey provided the memory-maker with a three-run homer. Colin Eiser turned in a terrific performance, going 5-for-5 with a solo homer and three runs scored, while Phil Sanborn and R.J. McGettigan halved four RBI. The Saints were outhit, 17-12, but drew eight walks and fanned just once.
SEMIFINAL
At Northern York, Dillsburg
Neumann-Goretti 10, Bellwood-Antis 9
Winning pitcher Phil Sanborn, Jared Healey and Eric Nardini thumped two-run singles over the first six innings as the Saints seized a 10-4 lead. B-A rallied for five in the visiting seventh and the tying run was 90 feet away when a grounder glanced off reliever Joe Messina's glove. Second baseman Steve Pizza saved the day, scooping and firing to first to end the game. Sanborn and Pizza were among those with one-run singles.
FINAL
At Penn State
Neumann-Goretti 7, Bishop McCort 4
A five-spot in the first inning turned out to be sufficient as the Saints beat the same opponent for a second consecutive state championship and became the first school in PIAA history to seize crowns in both basketball and baseball in back-to-back school years. Lefty Phil Sanborn, working on three days' rest, pitched the first 4.1 innings and soph Joe Messina went the rest of the way to earn the save. McCort scored once in the seventh and had the bases loaded with two away when Messina humped up for a three-pitch strikeout; the Crushers stranded 13 runners in all. Eric Nardini and Sanborn lined RBI singles in the first after Brian Reynolds drew a walk to plate the first run. A throwing error off Nardini's single allowed two more runs to score. Two fifth-inning runs were notched thanks to wild pitches. Sanborn and Jared Healey (double) halved four hits.

2018
CLASS 6A
FIRST ROUND
At Wood
La Salle 4, Conestoga 1
Anthony Cossetti drove in all four Explorer runs thanks to, in order, a one-run single, solo homer and two-run triple. Joe Miller (eight strikeouts) and Gavin Moretski combined for a five-hitter.
QUARTERFINAL
At Manheim Twp.
La Salle 13, Red Lion 0 (5 inn.)
Eric Marasheski powered this romp by going 2-for-2 with a triple and home run for four RBI. Andrew Cossetti and Brian Schaub also homered and halved four RBI. Gavin Moretski worked the first four innings (three apiece of hits/Ks) and Dan Karrash completed the shutout.
SEMIFINAL
At Neumann University
Bensalem 5, La Salle 4 (8 inn.)
The Explorers appeared to be in great shape after jumping to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to Anthony Cossetti's RBI double and Shane Manieri's two-run single. Bensalem fought back, however, and broke a 4-4 tie with a sacrifice fly in the visiting eighth. La Salle left the bases loaded in the bottom half. Not one of Bensalem's runs was driven in by a hit.
CLASS 5A
FIRST ROUND
At La Salle High
Carroll 3, West Chester Rustin 2
Tyler Kehoe notched a four-out save behind starter Jake Kelchner (eight whiffs). The Patriots made it 3-1 in the sixth as Trent Pierce tripled and scrambled home on a wild pitch. Kelchner had two hits.
QUARTERFINAL
At Muhlenberg High
Carroll 7, Cedar Cliff 2
Tyler Kehoe hammered two doubles and the first plated three runs in a five-run second. Alex Cornell (seven strikeouts) took a shutout into the seventh before experiencing control issues and needing help from Ian Myers.
SEMIFINAL
At Ephrata
Lower Dauphin 3, Carroll 2
In a night game (7:10 start; pushed back from 6:30), the Patriots managed to claim a 1-0 lead in the fourth on Sean Lawley's double. LD scored the next three runs, Carroll accepted an unearned run in the sixth and then went down 1-2-3 in the seventh. Jake Kelchner (5-plus innings) and Tyler Kehoe (all outs via whiffs) did the pitching. Kehoe and Lawley rapped two hits apiece.
CLASS 4A
FIRST ROUND
At Washington
Northwestern Lehigh 8, Bonner-Prendie 0
The upstaters clubbed solo homers on back-to-back pitches in the first inning and finished with four total dingers while coasting to an easy win. Tyler Wilk launched two of 'em. Matt Headley stroked two of B-P's three hits.
CLASS 3A
FIRST ROUND
At Wood
Oley Valley 4, Conwell-Egan 3
Ryan Crowell fired four shutout innings, then was forced to depart due to injury. The Eagles jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first thanks to RBI from Justin Porter (sac fly) and Brendan Sullivan (single). Will Zimmerman peppered an RBI double in the seventh, but a groundout ended it.
CLASS 2A
FIRST ROUND
At Methacton
Neumann-Goretti 7, Dock Mennonite 2
Joe LaFiora helped himself with an early RBI single and wound up mowing down 14 over six innings to break the record for most strikeouts by a Catholic League pitcher in a state playoff; Wood's Joey Lancellotti fanned 13 in a first round 3A loss in 2015. Billy D'Ambrosia's four-RBI party was highlighted by a three-run double. This game was postponed June 4 due to wet grounds.
QUARTERFINAL
At Muhlenberg High
Schuylkill Haven 4, Neumann-Goretti 0
The Saints were limited to two hits, struck out 11 times and allowed two runs in the visiting seventh to diminish their chances.