By Benjamin Leibowitz
Charlie Neuweiler is having the time of his life this season.
The Monsignor McClancy senior pitcher was dominant once again on Sunday, lifting the Crusaders to a 2-0 victory over Holy Cross in a BQCHSAA baseball matchup.
Neuweiler, who has been terrific this season, tallied 13 strikeouts in the performance and got a bit of help from his fellow seniors, including his twin brother Ryan and Mississippi State-bound outfielder Quentin Holmes.
“It’s no secret that when our big guys play we have a good chance of winning, and today you witnessed dominant pitching,” McClancy coach Nick Melito said.
Charlie — who is committed to LIU Brooklyn — relied heavily on a dominant fastball in the win, but also switched up pitches, keeping the Holy Cross lineup off balance.
He gave up just one hit to Knights shortstop Jaylen Palmer in the top of the fifth inning.
“I was just trying to get first pitch strikes. That and keeping the ball down was what I focused on today,” Charlie said. “I go out there and I try to do whatever I can do to get the guy out. If he hits a foul ball off of me it gets me mad, and makes me want to get him out with the next pitch.”
With one Neuweiler dealing on the mound, the other stepped up to the plate, sparking the Crusaders’ offense. Ryan drove in both McClancy runs, hitting a sacrifice fly in the top of the third inning to score Holmes before adding an RBI single later in the game.
“When [Quentin] gets on base it’s pretty much an automatic run,” Ryan said. “It’s very helpful to hit behind him, because whenever he gets on there’s a chance for some RBI.”
The one-two Neuweiler punch has been a key part of the Crusaders’ success this season and the pair hopes to keep that chemistry going next spring when they head to LIU together.
“We have a special bond as brothers, so it makes the game so much fun to play with someone you know so well,” Ryan said.
Of course, McClancy’s senior stars have a bit of unfinished business before any of them get ready for the college game – they want to win a city title. And after a solid start to the season and a solid performance in Myrtle Beach earlier this year, the Crusaders are certain this is their year.
“The goal is to get off the plane one way, and then come back better,” Melito remarked. “We’re at a point now, where we just worry about who we’re playing, and take everything one game at a time.”
