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The baseballers at Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St., have “Saints” emblazoned on their uniforms, but after Tuesday’s 5-4 eight-inning triumph over Wyndmoor’s La Salle College High School at Widener University, they might consider changing their nickname to the “Cardiac Kids.”
The East Passyunk Crossing athletes rallied against their heralded foes to capture their second straight Catholic League title and third in four seasons. They will look to better their 18-4 mark at today’s 3:15 PIAA District 12 Class AAA City Championship at Richie Ashburn Field, 20th Street and Pattison Avenue, against Philadelphia Electrical and Technology Charter.
Slight underdogs courtesy of their competition’s undefeated league slate, the locals yearned to earn another plaque, especially the seniors, who have dropped only 13 games in their tenure. The title tilt continued to validate second-year pitching coach Joe Messina’s claim that the youngsters approach each game “with so much heart and determination.”
“These guys play as a family, as a bunch of brothers,” Messina said.
The fraternity began its push in the bottom of the third inning. Senior shortstop and Second Team All-Catholic Marty Venafro stroked a double, scoring on a two-run homer by sophomore first baseman Josh Ockimey, another Second-Team honoree. Staff ace, Blue Division MVP and First-Team senior southpaw Joey Gorman yielded two runs in the sixth, but his mates evened the tally in their half.
A pitch struck First-Team senior outfielder Jimmy Kerrigan, who advanced to third on a double by First-Team junior pitcher and third baseman Joe Kinee. A sacrifice fly by junior second sacker Joe Glennon plated Kerrigan, and Kinee crossed on a single by Second-Team senior right fielder Anthony Adams.
After 144 pitches, Gorman left in the eighth, yielding to junior right-hander John LaMotta, who tossed nine relief frames in Friday’s 8-7 14-inning semifinal decision over Drexel Hill’s Monsignor Bonner. LaMotta needed to face only three batters and earned the win thanks to the fleet feet of sophomore outfielder Joe Lolio, who pinch-ran for Ockimey following an eighth-inning free pass. Kinee bunted to advance Lolio, with an errant throw sending the underclassman on a madcap journey that ended with jubilation for the Saints.
“We’ve been battle-tested for the last two years,” Messina said. “We knew La Salle had not been in that position, so we knew we would have chances if we kept it close.”
The team reveled yet immediately set its mind on today’s test and the state playoffs, which begin Monday against a to-be-determined adversary.
“These players compete for one another,” Messina said. “We’re eager for the next challenges.”
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview .com or ext. 124.
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