Keating's Walk-Off Wins for Crusaders
Senior co-captain Mike Keating continued his torrid hitting going 2-for-4 including driving in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to send the Crusaders past visiting Murdock, 5-4.
In the game against Quabbin, versatile third baseman Keating went 4-for-4, ripped two doubles, scored three runs and had five RBI's. Senior Josh Acaba (2-for-5, 2 RBI) went the distance with 9 K's and was the winning pitcher. Left fielder Nick D'Angelo (2-for-5, double, 3 runs, RBI) and junior right fielder Andrew Sinnery (2-for-4, 2 RBI) made solid contributions. After beginning the season 1-4, GD ended the week with a convincing 16-6 win over Quabbin and the exciting win against Murdock.
Against Murdock, the Crusaders scratched out a run in the first when senior co-captain Adam Kmetz walked, stole second, moved to third on Nick D'Angelo's infield hit and scored on Keatings's groundout. This team can manufacture runs with outstanding team speed, aggressive base running and a bit of daring.
With one out in the top of the second, the Blue Devils threatened but Kevin Sukorski grounded into a 4-6-5 (McCann, Kmetz, Butler) double play. "It was not perfect but we made two key inning ending double plays and got a great game from junior pitcher Alex Dhionis," said varsity coach Matt LeBlanc.
GD plated two runs in the home half of the second high-lighted by Dean McCann's single and a Ben Butler double.
Murdock scored an unearned run in the third closing the Crusader lead to 3-1 and tied the game in the fourth on two unearned runs and key Justin Smith and Jake Santiago hits. GD got out of further trouble when Dhionis got Devils Trevor Allen to ground into the team's second DP. "Alex was great throwing just 72 pitches over seven innings. He pounded the strike zone and the kids made the plays behind him." said Leblanc.
The Blue Devils took the lead in the top of the seventh when Santiago scored an unearned run on a passed ball. "That was on me, "confided Keating who was behind the plate.
Down a run, in the bottom of the seventh. No problem. Designated hitter Brad Zadrozny, making his first start of the season, led off with a ringing single up the middle, stole second and rode home on a Kmetz RBI single. Tie game.
"I know he wanted a bunt," said Keating referring to coach LeBlanc. "But I had to get a hit after the passed ball." Kmetz trotted home with the winning run when Keating delivered. I wonder if coach LeBlanc is okay with Keating's decision to hit away?
