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Nick's Sports Crusade Return to TedSilary.com Home Page Nick Mandarano is a junior at Lansdale Catholic HS with an
appreciation for sports at the high school level. Since March 2011, Nick has
been covering pro and college sports through a self-run podcast and
has recently added high school sports to the podcast's arsenal. As a result,
Nick has discovered a passion for high school sports that goes hand-in-hand
with his love of writing. Nick couldn't be happier to join the crew and to
write about his Crusaders! Also, he is on the 2013 baseball squad. |
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Nick is now doing shows about Philly high school
sports with his buddy, Dan Spinelli, who attends
La Salle.
Here's the link . . .
http://www.30minutesofmadness.com/highschool.html
APRIL 26
NON-LEAGUE
Lansdale 17, Quakertown 9
Lansdale Catholic (5-8, 3-4) celebrated Senior Night with a win against
Quakertown on Friday. It was a 17-9 victory that the Crusaders can credit to the
team holistically. Everyone stepped up to contribute to the win, both on the
field and on the bench. It was a loud, intense game of runs. When junior
Kevin Scott dove for two groundballs early in the game, albeit failing to
field either, you knew the mentality of the team: “Let’s put it all on the line
for our seniors tonight.”
Many underclassmen deserve mentions. Catcher Sean Becker hit a
ball so far that the only other park that would have held it is Yellowstone.
Matt Kress closed the game, allowing just one run and willing his way out of
several jams. Mike Christy continued to raise his batting average to a
whopping .474 in his 19 at-bats since his call-up. The night really belonged to
the seniors though. All of the seniors on this 2013 LC baseball team have
contributed in their own unique fashion. Allow me to introduce you to our nine
leaders (in alphabetical order to avoid any drama).
James Basile is a 6’3”, 200-pound gentle giant. Basile is one of
the best defensive right fielders in the league and has been known for his
cannon of an arm. Listed as a right fielder, Basile has the speed to cover all
of right and half of centerfield. When he’s not throwing strikes home from the
warning track, he’s doing it from the mound. He has made himself into an
exceptional pitcher with a deadly splitter. A walk machine, James Basile could
hold the LC on-base percentage record without recording a single hit.
Dan Carney is always ready to work. As a relief pitcher, Carney
has taken leadership over not only the bullpen, but also the whole pitching
staff. A moment he will never forget was his first at-bat of his senior season.
After pitching the previous inning, Carney recorded a two-RBI single in a clutch
situation on senior night. After a 1-for-2 night, Dan Carney is now second on
the team in batting average only to fellow relief pitcher Jack Merlino.
Ian Conwell is the clear-cut emotional leader on this team.
Injured for the first half of the season, Conwell has made a major impact since
his return. I often relate his style of play to that of Chase Utley:
always running out every groundball, getting dirty on every play, consistently
making the heads-up play, and making spectators just say “wow!” Conwell has the
longest tenure as a varsity starter on the team, three years. With a love and
passion for the game of baseball, Conwell will be playing at Lackawanna next
year. Ian Conwell does spot-on impressions of some people around school. And
some people around school do spot-on impressions of Ian Conwell.
Pat Duggan can add stud baseball player to his long list of
prestigious titles. Valedictorian. Quarterback. Pretty boy. Success is the only
foreseeable future for this kid. Duggan will attend Penn State next year in his
next step toward his bright future. Pat’s success on the mound comes from a
veteran experience, a vast knowledge of the game, and a filthy curveball.
Tom Gibbons was introduced on senior night as “the most athletic
player on this side of the Mississippi.” That’s not too far off. Gibbons is a
five-tool player. At the plate, Gibbons can hit for both average and power. In
the field, Gibbons turns leather into gold and fly-balls into double plays.
Gibbons has a great bat, a stellar glove, and an authoritative arm. Did I
mention the kid can fly around the base paths? Tom Gibbons has all the tools to
be a great player, and that he has become.
Matt Hull is a speedy outfielder with untapped potential at second
base. Headed to Immaculata to play soccer next fall, Hull is a multi-sport
athlete with many talents. Not only does Hull bring speed and versatility to the
Crusaders, but he also brings a sense of humor. Hull keeps practices
light-hearted, makes long bus rides seem shorter, and always keeps a smile on
his teammates’ faces, no matter the situation. When it comes to game time,
however, Hull is strictly business. In fact, if you were to look up the
definition of the word “focus”, you’d see a portrait of Matt Hull.
Ben Lippincott is a fearless baseballplayer. He was tossed around
the field from catcher to outfielder to closer to starter, but never lost a
step. Give Lippincott an assignment and expect it to be completed quick and
efficiently. He always gets the job done. Recently nominated as a team captain
by his teammates, Lippincott’s strongest attribute is his ability to pick his
teammates up when they are down. If a player has a bad outing, if a player has a
bad at-bat, or if a player is just a bit rattled, Ben always seems to be the one
to make it all better. If a player is struggling, then they get to get on one of
Ben’s famous “walks.”
Mark Savini is a pure power hitter. Anytime he steps in the box,
he is a threat to go deep. Unless, of course, he has a Fungo in hand. Then just
make sure it’s not yours. You won’t get it back in one piece. Mark Savini is a
big, strong first baseman that will give you more scoops throughout the course
of a season than Dairy Queen.
The Crusaders have five league games togo: two against Bonner, two
against Wood, and one make-up game against McDevitt. On the edge of a playoff
bye, the Crusaders know how critical these last five games are. LC’s nine
seniors are on a mission to extend their high school career as well as their
teammates’ season. A salute to the Class of 2013.
APRIL 20
NON-LEAGUE
Lansdale 7, Roman 4
After a 7-4 victory over Roman Catholic, the Lansdale Catholic Crusaders
(4-8, 3-4) are now on a three-game winning streak. Normally a reliever, senior
Ben Lippincott was given the start. Despite a four-run fourth inning,
Lippincott pitched five strong innings of five-hit ball. His other four innings
were scoreless. Junior Matt Kress pitched the final two innings without
being scratched for a run and was credited withthe save. The win was a team
effort. Star catcher Sean Becker had to be taken out of the game after
the fourth inning due to problems with his contacts. The extremely good-looking
and incredibly charming junior Nick Mandarano stepped into catch the last
three innings and did a great job.
LC totaled just three hits during the game, all of which came from
underclassmen. Freshmen Ryan Quigley and Nick Smalley each singled
as well as sophomore, and recent call-up, Mike Christy. Again, younger
guys came through for the Crusaders. LC was still able to score seven runs on
those three hits. In the first inning, a ball got away from Roman’s catcher and
Mike Christy was able to score from third. The Cahillites lost focus, but senior
Ian Conwell did not. Conwell was on second base at the time of the error
and just kept running. Roman’s pitcher and catcher had their back turned
thinking the play was over, and Conwell took advantage by scoring the second
run. His game often resembles that of Chase Utley, always playing hard and
playing the right way. This was a perfect example of that. The heads-up play was
more than just another run; it ignited a flame under the Crusaders. Since
returning from his injury, Conwell has led LC to an impressive 3-0!
In the fifth inning, I saw something I have never seen before. With
runners on first and second and no outs, Lippincott threw a fastball that caught
a bit too much of the plate. The hitter lined it right back up the middle, but
somehow right into Lippincott’s glove. Lippincott turned to second and threw a
strike to Kevin Scott to doubleup the base runner. Scott then fired the
ball over to Mark Savini at first for a third out. A triple play! Talk
about working your way out of a jam! Between Conwell’s heads-up play in the
first inning and the triple play here, LC hadf ound momentum they carried
throughout not only the rest of the game, hopefully the remainder of the season.
LC’s last four league games, pending a rescheduled rain-out against McDevitt,
consist of a two-game series against Monsignor Bonner and a two-game series
against Archbishop Wood. If LC can carry the momentum that they’ve found, a
strong finish is not unreasonable. Playoffs are back in the line of vision for
the Crusaders!
Note from Ted: After posting this
report, I emailed Nick and asked him how he'd fared at the plate.
Here's his reponse:
Haha,
well you see the sun was in my eyes and I forgot my batting gloves, but was
still able to work a 3-pitch battle of an at-bat before striking out. Didn't
wanna show off... Oh, with bases loaded too. Didn't wanna run up the score. :)
APRIL 8
CATHOLIC BLUE
Carroll 5, Lansdale 4
Lansdale Catholic (1-7, 1-3) triedto snap a four-game losing streak
in their game against Archbishop Carroll. After getting swept by Neumann-Goretti
in the previous week, LC was looking to get back to .500 in league play.
Junior Matt Kress, who has been pitching great of late, was on the
bump for the Crusaders. Carroll was able to scratch him for four runs in the
first inning, three of them unearned, and another in the
2nd inning. Kress admit he didn’t have his best stuff and didn’t get the
greatest help from his fielders, but still managed to pitch exceptionally well.
After allowing just one base runner in the 3rd inning, Kress retired all seven
of his remaining batters. In 5.1 innings, Kress finished with two earned runs
allowed (five total), six strikeouts, and 112 pitches.
Offensively, it took LC until the 3rd inning to record their first hit.
Junior catcher Sean Becker roped a single to continue his recent surge at
the plate. In Friday’s game at Lower Moreland, Becker was two for three with two
doubles to left-centerfield and a deep flyball. Becker finished this game two
for three as well with two singles. Along with the team’s first hit, Becker
scored LC’s first run on a sacrifice bunt from senior right fielder James
Basile. Later in the 3rd inning, senior Pat Duggan scored on a
sacrifice fly to centerfield from sophomore Kyle Diseroad.
The Crusaders were able to plate two more runs in the fourth on a two-out
Pat Duggan stand-up triple. Unfortunately, this is all that LC was able to make
up and the game ended with a score of 5-4 in Carroll’s favor. Errors in the
beginning of the game really cost the Crusaders as they dug themselves into a
hole to deep to climb out of. Lansdale Catholic hopes to break their now
five-game losing streak in the backend of their series against Archbishop
Carroll this Wednesday. While down, LC is certainly not out. Faith is still more
than alive within the team.
A few players deserve a shoutout after brilliant performances. Becker,
who has really been stroking the ball at the plate, is enjoying a surge
defensively as well. Becker caught a baserunner stealing and picked one off in
the Carroll game as well as another caught stealing in the Lower Moreland game.
Senior pitcher Ben Lippincott has established himself as one of the best
relievers in the league. Really dominating as of late, Lippincott has been
nearly untouchable. Duggan, who was two for three in this game, looks like he
has found his swing and seems much more confident in the box. Not only has he
been finding ways to get on base, he has been hitting the ball hard, regardless
of the result. LC has found success from unexpected places. Underclassmen Kyle
Diseroad (So.), Nick Smalley (Fr.) and Ryan Quigley (Fr.) have
really stepped up. The bottom of the lineup has really hit well too, sometimes
outperforming the top of the lineup. The Crusaders have some work to do to get
out of the hole they’ve dug, but signs are bright and there have been many
positive points of the season. Their next opportunity to start this turn-around
is the Carroll game on Wednesday.
MARCH 27
CATHOLIC BLUE
Lansdale 11, McDevitt 0 (6 inn.)
After a start to the season that included a tie with Christopher Dock
and losees to Springfield and Souderton, Lansdale Catholic’s baseball team
entered Catholic League play on Wednesday against visiting Bishop McDevitt.
Junior Matt Kress was given the ball to start the game and didn’t give it
back until the score was final.
Kress threw a total of just
37 pitches in the first three innings, followed by a five-pitch fourth, and
those circumstances enabled him to go the distance. Kress not only pitched a
complete game, he flirted with a no-hitter. In the fourth inning a groundball
was fielded by senior shortstop Ian Conwell and thrown just a bit
off-line to first base. Senior Mark Savini, the first baseman, jumped in
order to catch the throw and as a result the batter reached safely. While many
called for an error to keep the no-hitter alive, Kress had allowed his first and
only hit of the game. (Well, maybe not. LC reported the game as a no-hitter --
smile). Fortunately, the next hitter grounded into a double play.
Offensively,the Crusaders jumped out to an early 8-0 lead but had a hard
time adding anymore runs. In the 6th inning Savini had an RBI-single to give the
team their 9th run. The following at-bat was a second-and-third situation with
junior Brian Farrell stepping in the box. McDevitt decided to
intentionally put Farrell on base to load the bases, putting Kress back in the
spotlight. If LC could pick up a 10-run lead the mercy rule would be put into
effect and give LC their first win. Kress found a pitch he liked and drove it
for yet another hit. In fact, this walk-off double was his fourth hit of the
game to complement several RBIs and a 1-hit/0-hit complete game.
After the win, head coach Rick Norwood said, “We’ve got a lot of
improving still to go, but we did what we needed to do.” Third base coach Joe
Ishikawa made a point to mention that the team only had four fly balls today
as opposed to the double-digit amount in last year’s McDevitt game. LC picked up
their first win in mercy-rule fashion to improve to 1-2-1, but 1-0 in PCL play.
Monday is a non-league game against Perk Valley for the Crusaders, but Tuesday
is the highly-anticipated Neumann matchup and the next game Kress is slated to
pitch.