Spring is finally here, and the MLB season is only two weeks away but don’t worry the WCAC baseball season has officially started. Here is a recap of what went on last week.
DeMatha had struggled during opening week as the Stags went 1-2. They kicked things off in a non-conference matchup against Georgetown Prep where they lost to the Hoyas 15-9. Pitching was a major factor in DeMatha’s lost. Senior pitcher Jack Alkire (VCU) was the losing pitcher. Jack went 1.1 innings 8 earned runs on 7 hits, walked three batters, and struck out one. Senior Austin Weber and juniors Joe Hall and Bryan Liriano gave up a total of 5 earned runs on 9 hits, and walked eight batters.
This game was a big game for junior infielder Lorenzo Harrison since he was making his WCAC baseball debut. DeMatha started him as the designated hitter and the well known DeMatha running back he went 1-2, and tallied 3 RBI. Lorenzo showed signs of power when he hit a 2-run double to left field. Harrison brought his football speed to the diamond by stealing two bases.
Errors played a factor in the DeMatha’s 8-2 loss against St. Mary’s Ryken last Tuesday. DeMatha committed 6 errors. Senior Brad Thaxton was the losing pitcher. Brad pitched three innings, and gave up 7 runs (0 earned runs) on four hits, and walked two batters. Hitting was another problem for the Stags. DeMatha only tallied three hits and didn’t score a run until the sixth inning.
DeMatha ended their two game skid by beating Paul VI 7-4. The bottom of the fourth inning was the difference maker for the Stags in that game as the Stags scored six runs in that inning. Seniors Andrew Keith and Thomas Barringer had a great game at the plate. Keith (Wesleyan University) went 2-3 and drove in two runners. Barringer put up similar numbers by hitting 2-3 and driving in 2 runs. Senior Andy Rozylowicz was the winning pitcher and he deserved it. In five innings, Andy only gave up one run on four hits, a walk and struck out six batters.
DeMatha looks to build on that win going into the rest of the season. This week the will face St. John’s, Gonzaga, Bishop McNamara and Bishop Ireton. After this week, the team will pack their bags and head to North Carolina to participate in the Forest Acres Easter Tournament.
In other WCAC Baseball news, the St. John Cadets are off to a great start to the season. The Cadets are 5-1. St. John’s kicked the season off with a 10-0 win over the Heights. After losing to Calvert Hall 1-0, St. John’s went on a four game winning streak. One of their biggest wins came against Paul VI. The Cadets scored 16 runs and held PVI scoreless. In the game against PVI, senior AJ Lee struck out eight batters in four innings to get the win. Junior Myles Mensah went 2-3, drove in 2 RBI, and he hit a double. Recently during their winning streak, the Cadets beat Gonzaga 2-0. Senior Ryan Olsen pitched four shutout innings to pick up his second win of the season. St. John’s will kick off the second week of the season against DeMatha today. First pitch is at 4:30.
Last week Paul VI went 3-2. They beat schools like Bishop McNamara 10-6, Gonzaga 5-0, and Bishop Ireton 11-0. The Panthers next game will be a home game against Bishop Ireton. After the game against the Cardinals, Paul VI will play two straight road games against St. Mary’s Ryken and a winless Bishop O’Connell team. Paul VI will end the week with a doubleheader at home on March 28th against West Potomac and Marshall.
Gonzaga will be supporting a 3-3 record going into the second week of the season. The started last week winning two games in a row against Sidwell Friends and Bishop O’Connell. The Purple Eagle suffered their first loss of the season in a 5-0 lost against Paul VI but bounced back and beat Bishop McNamara 11-2. Gonzaga ended the week losing to 3-2 against Bishop Ireton and 2-0 against St. John’s. Gonzaga has a big game ahead of them on March 24th when they play their rival DeMatha.
Follow Ryan McFadden on Twitter @RMcFadden15
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*All stats come from Max Preps and the St. John’s College High School website
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