By Anthony Bosco
The Monsignor McClancy varsity baseball team upset the Christ the King Royals Sunday at Molloy College, 6-4, to advance to the Catholic High School Athletic Association citywide playoffs. The Crusaders finished in fifth place in the Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan, just behind the Royals, who finished fourth.
Trailing 4-1 in the top of the fifth, Joe D’Andrea smashed a grand slam home run for McClancy, putting the team ahead 5-4. Starter Kevin Conlon, who went the distance, striking out seven and allowing just four hits, stymied CK the rest of the way to ensure the win.
With the victory, the Crusaders advance to take on Bronx/Manhattan winner Iona Prep in the first round of the intersectionals this week at Fordham University.
St. Francis Prep 3. Holy Cross 0. The Terriers eliminated the Knights from reaching the intersectionals Sunday, as pitcher Mark Foris was stellar, allowing just three hits to pick up the win. Offensively, Joey Ivazes smacked two doubles and drove in all three runs for Prep, which advances to take on Monsignor Farrell in the first round of the citywide postseason competition. Cross eliminated St. Edmund earlier in the week for the right to play St. Francis.
Xaverian 16-7, Holy Cross 6-2. Michael Mongelluzzo fanned four in four innings, while Joseph Pontillo drove in two as the Clippers cruised to a 16-6 win. Xaverian also polished off the Knights in the continuation of a suspended game, 7-2.
Xaverian 14, Christ the King 1. Showing the dominance he was displayed all year, Xaverian pitcher Danny Christensen struck out 17 in a six-inning affair, giving up just a bunt single while walking three. Pedro Beato smacked a two-run home run and John Defends had two hits and three RBIs in the win.
Archbishop Molloy 3-7, St. Francis Prep 0-2. Starting pitcher Matt Fealey gave up just two hits and struck out six, while Anthony Vernaci had two hits to power Molloy past Prep, 3-0, in the first of two games. In the nightcap, both Keith Hahn and Mike Baxter had two hits.
Bishop Loughlin 8, Cathedral Prep 5. The Crusaders were eliminated by the Lions Sunday, as Christian Gonzalez picked up the win for the Lions, striking out eight. Both Brando Lawson and Jesus Rosa had two RBIs in the CHSAA ‘B’ playoff victory.
Reach Sports Editor Anthony Bosco by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 130.
