By Anthony Bosco
At least they made it interesting.
The Archbishop Molloy Stanners scored twice in the bottom of the seventh inning, pulling to within one run of the Xaverian Clippers Monday afternoon and had the winning run at the plate with two outs.
But the Stanners couldn’t pull off the comeback, falling 5-4 when John Shipman’s fly ball to right was hauled in for the third and final out, stranding Mike Baxter at first base.
“We had a chance to win,” said Molloy head coach Jack Curran. “That’s all you can do.”
Molloy’s mini-rally began with one out and pinch-hitter Bill Miller reached on an error. Keith Hahn followed with a long double to right, which scored Miller from first. Hahn, having reached third on an error, then scored on Anthony Vernaci’s bounce-out to second, making the score 5-4.
But after Baxter beat out a chopper in the hole, Shipman ended the game with a soft floater to right.
Xaverian hurler Chris Garcia went the distance for the Clippers, picking up a win that was anything but easy.
Staked to a 1-0 lead in the first after Michael Hernandez took Molloy starter Matt Fealey deep, Garcia gave two runs right back to the Stanners in the bottom of the inning.
With runners on first and second and two out — following two walks and a fielder’s choice — Matt Rizzotti singled to center field, bringing Baxter and Shipman home to score for a brief 2-1 advantage for the host team.
But Stanner Field was not friendly to Molloy Monday, as the short porches down both foul lines proved fertile ground for Xaverian’s power hitters. Fealey was taken deep for a second time by John Degendis, whose shot down the right field line in the top of the third with Keith Gebert on, swung the lead back to the Clippers, 3-2.
Xaverian added another run later in the inning, when Michael Hernandez scored from second base on Daniel DeSouza’s single to right field, making the score 4-2.
Hernandez homered to left in the top of the fifth to make the score 5-2.
“Our own field beat us today,” Curran said. “We made some good plays when we had to. Matt pitched pretty well. Double play balls. Matt always pitches well. He just made a couple of bad pitches.”
Xaverian threatened again in the top of the sixth, as Michael Perez walked and Daniel Lora reached on an infield single. Both advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Kyle Odom, setting up Jonathan Ortiz, who blooped a shot to right. Outfielder Mike Shea hauled in the fly ball and fired a strike to catcher Nick Derba, who tagged out the sliding Perez for the unconventional double play.
But in the end it was Molloy’s inability to touch Garcia with runners on base that proved the difference, as the senior hurler out of Brooklyn induced the Stanners into three double plays.
St. Francis Prep 9, Christ the King 3. Brian Forman had two hits and drove in a run for the Terriers, who improved to 7-2 overall, 3-0 in CHSAA league play with Monday's win. The loss was the first of the year for the Royals.
Cathedral Prep 7, St. John's Prep 2. The Crusaders were led by Kevin McGrath, who had three hits and gave up just one earned run through five innings. Cathedral Prep moves to 1-0 in the CHSAA B league.
Christ the King 15, St. Peter's 6. The Royals got four RBIs from Rafael Castillo in non-league action Saturday, raising the team’s overall mark to 12-0.
Archbishop Molloy 16, Holy Cross 4. Nick Derba blasted a three-run home run for the Stanners blowout win over the Knights last Wednesday.
St. Francis Prep 11, St. Edmund Prep 9. Rich McGraw went yard with a two-run shot in the fifth, as the Terriers raised their league mark to 2-0 and their overall log to 6-2.
Christ the King 5, Monsignor McClancy 2. Elvin Millan was the man for CK, driving in two RBIs, swiping two bases and tossing 1 2/3 innings of relief in the team’s league debut last Wednesday, topping the Crusaders.
Archbishop Molloy 8, Monsignor McClancy 1. In the league opened for both teams, Matt Fealey fanned 12 and went the distance, allowing no walks and just four hits for the Stanners. Mike Baxter had three hits, including a two-run homer, while Matt Rizzotti had two hits, two RBIs and a dinger.
Softball
The Archbishop Molloy Stanners picked up their third CHSAA win Monday afternoon, defeating Queens foe Stella Maris, 6-2. This is the Stanners’ first year playing softball on the varsity level. Nicole Siegel smashed a bases-loaded triple to lead Molloy, which improved to 4-7 overall and 3-2 in league play with the victory.
Preston 3, The Mary Louis Academy 2. Amanda Misa went the distance and Gi Siciliano's two-run double paced Preston, now 11-0 overall, 3-0 CHSAA action.
The Mary Louis Academy 12, Archbishop Molloy 1. Stefanie Gozdziewski recorded a no-hitter, striking out 10 as the Hilltoppers remained perfect in league play at 3-0 and raised their overall mark to 8-2.
St. Francis Prep 16, Archbishop Molloy 3. The Terriers received a solid outing from pitcher Alicia Syrok, who allowed four hits and fanned seven. Valerie Sleck provided the offense, smacking three hits and driving in three, as Prep improved to 4-4 overall, 3-1 in CHSAA league play.
The Mary Louis Academy 5, St. Francis Prep 1. In a battle of Queens front-runners, Stephanie Gozdziewski gave up just two-hits and helped her own cause with a three-run blast as the Hilltoppers took the early-season advantage.
Stella Maris 10, St. John's Prep 5. Stella Maris was led by Kate Scotko, who was 3-for-5, including a home run and three RBIs.
Archbishop Molloy 13, St. Agnes 1. Molloy got its second-ever varsity win, as Christina Del Maestro K’d nine and smacked a round-tripper. Jaclyn Pizzo also homered for the Stanners.
Reach Sports Editor Anthony Bosco by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 229-0300 Ext. 130.
