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Joseph Suppa likely has plenty of respect for his elders, but the freshman at Prep Charter High School, 1928 Point Breeze Ave., showed none Monday, though his teammates could not have cared less. On a day when his West Passyunk site honored seniors Michael Borelli and Sal Convento, Suppa played the hero, stroking a game-winning single to propel the Huskies to a 3-2 Division B triumph over Philadelphia Electrical and Technology Charter High School at Citizens Adjusters Park, Seventh Street and Packer Avenue.
“It was the most pressure-filled situation of my life,” the resident of 16th Street and West Moyamensing Avenue said. “Making the team as a freshman has been great, and it feels good to contribute to the team’s chemistry.”
The victory improved his unit to 9-3 overall, with all nine successes coming against Division-B foes. The squad also squared off yesterday against Edward Bok High School, 1901 S. Ninth St. Courtesy of Suppa’s final swing, first-year coach Shawn Magee could stray from stressing about possibly having to rebound against the East Passyunk Crossing foe.
He and assistant Paul Rieser distributed flowers and plaques to four-year starters Borelli and Convento before the game against their Center City-based opponents. Borelli, and infielder and a pitcher, claimed last year’s divisional MVP distinction, while Convento, a third baseman and left fielder, made Second-Team All-Public last season. The former, of the 2700 block of South Colorado Street, signed with the University of the Sciences Nov. 14, with the latter, of the 2400 block of McKean Street, hoping to contribute to La Salle University.
“Jump on them right away,” Magee said to his charges.
Borelli, the first Husky to obtain a baseball scholarship, set the opposition down easily and plated junior shortstop Peter Piccoli in the bottom of the first with a single. Two strikeouts punctuated the next inning for the hurler, but his mates left two on base, including Convento, who had singled, in their portion. They repeated the feat in the third, with the right-hander exiting the mound to begin the fourth, shifting Convento to left field while Borelli manned third.
The Chargers immediately scored two runs in the fourth without notching a hit. In fact, they managed only two for the game, but a two-base error by Convento and four walks put the Huskies behind. Drizzle began to intensify as the home team looked to make its comeback, creating a gloomy atmosphere that may have depressed spirits a bit, as the Chargers’ tosser retired his adversaries in order in the fourth.
“Are you done now?” Magee balked, as his swingers prepped for their fifth set of attempts. “Let’s start swinging the bats.”
The athletes attempted to respond, with Borelli working a walk and stealing second and third base. Sophomore right fielder and pitcher Rob Freer could not knot the score, though, as his mighty cuts produced a strikeout.
On the mound, the southpaw fanned six of the seven hitters he faced, but control issues led Magee to choose fellow sophomore Chris Ciliberto to finish the sixth. Suppa singled and stole second to put himself in scoring position in the bottom section and, following a single by junior first baseman Steven Miraglia, Convento tied the game with a fielder’s choice ground out. His friends surrounded him to celebrate his timely effort.
“I was looking to be aggressive,” Convento said of smoking a ball that left the Chargers’ first baseman with only one option. “It was a great feeling when they gathered around me.”
Ciliberto escaped the seventh, working around two walks with two strikeouts. Freshman second baseman Keegan McKloskey singled to start the home half and advanced to second on a passed ball. He and Borelli, who received his third walk, pulled off a double steal, and Freer loaded the bases with another free pass. Suppa wasted no time letting the crowd know drama did not bother him, as he swung hard and dumped his third hit of the day over the first baseman’s head.
“I wish we had put together a few more hits, but it was a good team win,” Borelli said.
Suppa, whose brother, junior center fielder and pitcher Frank, relieved Borelli in the fourth, enjoyed letting his teammates know his family’s gene pool is stacked.
“We’ve had a solid approach all year,” the younger Suppa said. “I really like adding offense to our lineup.”
Convento, well-versed in having to perform as an underclassman, commended Suppa and played prognosticator.
“We are confident,” he said. “I think we can win it all.”
The Huskies will take the first step toward that championship goal tomorrow afternoon when they host Division-D leader Delaware Valley in a Public League Class AA playoff opener. The winner will advance to Monday’s quarterfinal action against the Philadelphia Academy/Saul victor.
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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