Monaghan helps Shanahan top Avon Grove in back and forth affair

DOWNINGTOWN » In a game that featured a combined eight pitching changes between Bishop Shanahan and Avon Grove, it was a recent junior varsity hurler that saved the day for the host Eagles as Shanahan rode the superb late inning pitching of junior Jake Monaghan and a five RBI day from senior Kevin Dodds to a thrilling 7-5 Ches-Mont National Division win over Avon Grove.

Dodds cracked a three-run single just inside the first base bag in the bottom of the sixth inning to bring the Eagles (2-4) back from a 5-4 deficit to score three runs and put the ball in Monaghan’s hands to seal the victory, their second win in a row.

“I hit a fastball that was a little up and inside a bit,” Dodds said. “We needed this win. Last year we started out slow too and then came on and a win against a good team like Avon Grove should help us.”

Avon Grove, which was coming off a big win over Ches-Mont League favorite Downingtown West, took an early 2-0 lead on the strength of Bailey Smith’s two-run double in the second inning. The Eagles roared back to tie the game at 2-2 after three innings, and Avon Grove coach Dave Whitcraft was already deep into his bullpen. Avon Grove pitchers walked seven Bishop Shanahan batters for the game.

“We did not get consistent pitching today,” Whitcraft said. “The guys we used had some good outings earlier in the season but today we found out some things about our pitching staff. But, we left some runners on base and I thought we could have done a little better with our timely hitting.”

With the Red Devils (5-2) up 3-2 going to the bottom of the fourth, here came the Eagles again. Joe Hurley led off with a long triple to the fence in right field. David Angelo flied out to right for the first out and after Matt Samson walked — one of his four walks on the day — Dan DiBeneditto cracked a long two-run triple to center field and Shanahan had a 4-3 advantage after four innings.

After a scoreless fifth inning, Bishop Shanahan coach Brian Boyko lifted Dodds in favor of Kenny Kunzman to face the potent Red Devil attack in the top of the sixth inning. Kunzman immediately got into trouble by walking the first two batters he faced. Kunzman then gave up an RBI double to Pat Campbell to make it a 4-4 game and then left the game with a knee injury, opening the door for Monaghan’s mound heroics.

Monaghan induced Riley Davis to loft a sacrifice fly to right field for a 5-4 Avon Grove lead. But, that was it as the young Eagles hurler retired the next two Avon Grove batters, giving the Eagles a chance in the bottom of the sixth inning.

“I just wanted to come into the game and throw strikes,” Monaghan said. “I knew I had to get the ball over the plate. I used mostly fastballs today but I mixed in two or three curveballs.”

With the Red Devils up 5-4 in the back and forth game, Bishop Shanahan showed its mettle as it battled back again against the fourth and fifth Avon Grove pitchers on the day. Angelo started things off in the bottom of the sixth inning with a sharp single up the middle. Samson walked to put men on first and second with no one out. DiBeneditto also walked and then Dodds crushed an Alex Ei fastball just inside the bag at first, scoring all three Bishop Shanahan runners and putting the Eagles up 7-5.

Avon Grove did not make it easy for Monaghan or the Eagles in the top of the seventh. Andrew Note led off the inning with a single. Then Bruce Porter grounded a ball up the middle, but the Eagles got the force out at second base. Monaghan struck out Smith and got Anthony Hammond to fly out to center to end the game and give the Eagles a well deserved ChesMont League win.

“I knew Jake could throw strikes and he did that,” said Bishop Shanahan coach Brian Boyko. “And the Ches-Mont is no joke. Every game is a battle and Avon Grove is so well coached I would hope the kids take this win and get some confidence and that it gives us a push for the rest of the season.”