By Erin Bruehl
McClancy (4-7, 3-4 CHSAA) was leading 10-5 heading into the bottom of the seventh. With Peter Plessa on the mound in relief of starter Matt McDevitt, the Royals (4-10, 0-7 CHSAA) opened the inning with three consecutive singles from Lenny Flynn, Luis Vega and Bobby Tesseyman to load the bases. Plessa let two score on a 6-4 fielder's choice and a single but settled down with a strikeout and ground out to preserve the victory.But McDevitt was not worried that the team's recent woes would continue.”Of course you think about it,” he said of the three previous losses. “But we didn't want it to happen again and Pete shut them down.”McDevitt (1-1) struggled with his control, particularly his curveball, most of the afternoon. After McClancy grabbed the lead with three runs in the first on an Andrew Guarrasi RBI-ground out and a two-run home run from Randy White off Royals starter Mark Calzadilla, two walks and an error put three Royals on base in the bottom of the first. With two out, Bobby Tesseyman smacked a grand slam to left to put CTK up 4-3. McDevitt gave up 7 walks in over 5 innings but allowed just 3 hits. McClancy assistant coach Gene McDonnell was proud of the way he kept the Crusaders in the game, despite some mistakes.”Matt battled all day long,” he said. “He didn't have great control but he gave us a chance to win.”A walk and a Bob Gorvetzian double put two on with one out for McClancy in the third. However, the Royals, who introduced former Mets and Yankees (and CTK) pitcher Allen Watson as a new assistant coach, intentionally walked Steven Morgan to set up a double play. The next hitter, catcher Keith Morrice, grounded to short. Not wanting to hit into the double play, he busted it to first and slid in safely, allowing two runs to score. The Crusaders added another in the inning on a Paul Giannelli single and two more in the sixth on a Morrice single. Morrice finished 1-for-4 with 4 RBI.St. Francis Prep 7, Molloy 1. The Terriers avenged an Opening Day loss by blasting the Staners Monday at Cunningham Park. Rob Casal went the distance, allowing 1 run and striking out 7 and Paul Karmas had 4 hits and 4 RBI for St. Francis Prep (8-5, 4-3 CHSAA).Reach contributing writer Erin Bruehl by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 143.
