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The rotund rocker Meat Loaf declared “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” in 1977, long before the baseball players at Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St., were born and only three years into coach Lou Spadaccini’s existence. If they were to meet the singer, they would surely balk at his reasoning.
The East Passyunk athletes ushered in the third phase of their campaign by capturing the PIAA District 12 AAA Championship June 2.
Earning a 6-1 victory against Bridesburg’s Franklin Towne Charter High School, the same institution they downed two years ago for the City title, the Saints snared the perfect complement to May 31’s Catholic League Championship. Their 22nd-straight triumph also garnered them their district’s top seed in the state championships and showed off their reputation as a complete unit.
Based on their team nicknames, the hosts engaged in role reversal with the Coyotes, the three-time defending Public League Class AAA champions that entered with five wins against 14 losses, by attacking immediately and leaving the visitors to feel meek at McNichol Field, 26th and Moore streets.
Five days after his lackluster start against LaSalle College High School in the Catholic League semifinals, sophomore right-handed hurler Joe Kinee tore through his two innings, notching five strikeouts. Senior second baseman Mike “Zoom” Zolk continued his standout year by singling to lead off the bottom of the first. Two walks placed the First-Team All-Catholic star and league co-MVP at third, with a sacrifice fly from fellow first-teamer Jimmy Kerrigan, a junior outfielder, plating the University of North Carolina signee.
Junior righty Joe Jaep kept the Coyotes hunting in vain for runs, tossing two scoreless innings of his own. His mates made him the winning pitcher by scoring two runs in the bottom of the third. Junior outfielder Joey Gorman, another First-Team selection, and shortstop classmate Marty Venafro, a Second-Team honoree, scored on freshman first baseman Josh Ockimey’s two-out single.
“I want line drives,” Spadaccini cried as his squad’s fourth turn commenced.
Eager to oblige, sophomore third baseman Joey Glennon ripped a leadoff triple. A groundout by senior designated hitter John Snyder, another Second-Team pick, pushed Glennon across and incited cheers that Spadaccini begged for them to increase.
Sophomore right-hander John LaMotta yielded a run in the fifth, but the home half brought scores by Kerrigan and junior catcher Nicky Nardini. The tallies gave the Saints their 18th game with at least six runs and further excited the jubilant crowd.
Senior southpaw Elijah Resnick permitted two runners in the sixth, but Glennon’s glove kept the margin at five. A scoreless bottom of the sixth meant only three outs stood between the Saints and another great memory for a year that saw them set a school record for wins and enable them to match their basketball brethren’s undefeated regular season and playoff marks against Catholic League competition.
A stress-free frame with Zolk pitching sealed the victory and caused the diamond dwellers to mug for photos.
“I just wanted to remind them to keep up their tenacity,” Spadaccini, with a victory pretzel in hand, said of pep talks. “It can be hard to understand how special it is to go undefeated. It is so rewarding to see new guys step up.”
Glennon enjoys being a novel contributor. A resident of 16th and Pollock streets, the hot corner handler added to his postseason success with the three-bagger and nifty defense.
“Our attitude is to fight and be tough outs,” he said of the squad’s unprecedented year.
He began the campaign as a designated hitter but joined the infield early on, moving just to the right of his shortstop position on last year’s junior varsity team. As the season progressed, more at-bats and defensive confidence allow Glennon to live up to his belief anyone can fit in on the talented squad if determination remains high.
“I’m not a big guy,” the lanky youngster said, “so I try to hit line drives.”
His approach made the Catholic League playoffs his coming out party and leads Spadaccini to feel he will make the All-Catholic team next year. He stroked two hits and scored two runs in May 25’s 13-3 quarterfinal blitz of Lansdale Catholic. Three days later, he had a hand in a riveting comeback, as the Saints rallied from a 13-3 deficit to stun LaSalle, 18-13.
Down to their final out because of the 10-run mercy rule, the Saints began their march, with Ockimey belting a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth. Eager to extend their stay at Widener University, they scored 13 runs in the next inning. Glennon finished with two hits, runs and RBI. The three-hour affair sent the team to the title game against its 2010 vanquisher, Monsignor Bonner. In the eight-inning battle, a 3-1 Saints’ win, he plated a run with a second-inning single.
“He is a special player,” Spadaccini said. “Early in the year, he struggled with confidence. I told him there is no reason he should not be a starter.”
The coach feels the area’s reputation as a tight-knit community helps his team to put so many games into the win column.
“This team is a bunch of neighborhood kids who love one another, who have no jealousy or me-first attitudes,” he said.
Because of their bonds, they became enamored with Spadaccini’s three-phase season plan.
“The first was winning our division, and the second was winning the Catholic League title. The third is capturing states,” Spadaccini said. “I know winning the state title would really finish off this season and make it ten times better.”
Their City title triumph earned them a spot in Monday’s first round at Ashburn Field against Chester County’s Twin Valley high School. The teams met in 2009’s quarterfinals, with the Saints scoring a 1-0 win.
The Saints again scored one run, but the Raiders stunned them 3-1.
“I’ve never been more proud to be associated with the best young men in the world,” Spadaccini said.
He was especially grateful to his seniors.
“If I told you four years ago I can offer you two Catholic League and City titles and the best brotherhood in the world, you would have signed up,” he said. “Remember that.”
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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