CW North Catholic clings to win
Luckily for Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, its game Friday at Neshannock went into extra innings. It was an up-and-down game, but the Trojans pulled out an 11-10 Class 2A Section 2 victory.
The Trojans (11-7, 9-4) spent the first seven innings building big leads, then giving them up. In the top of the eighth inning, they finally grabbed the lead for good when Luke Madonna scored on a passed ball. In the bottom half of the inning, the Lancers (12-6, 9-4) loaded the bases with one out. Just when it looked like Neshannock was going to rally again, pitcher Danny Lynch worked his way out of the jam and got Neshannock to ground into a game-ending double-play.
It wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but the game was played on an increasingly ugly field as the rain came down heavily near the end.
“They’re a tough team and anytime you get a win at their place it’s any way, any how,” said North Catholic coach John Haggerty.
“It was a crazy game and it was pouring down rain, so we’re happy to get the win and move on.”
North Catholic built a 7-1 lead at one point, but the Lancers rallied to tie it, 7-7. Then, the Trojans built a fourrun lead, and again the Lancers tied it.
When it mattered most, the Trojans stood their ground and extended their season.
“That definitely put us in the playoffs,” Haggerty said.
The Trojans have won six of their past seven games. The past two wins were onerun games.
North Catholic also avenged an earlier 9-1 loss to Neshannock. (13-4, 7-4) past Mt. Lebanon (11-8, 6-5) in Class 6A Section 3.
Shaler began Friday needing a win over top-ranked Pine-Richland to get into the Class 6A playoffs. The Titans (11-7, 4-5) ended the day in the same predicament. With the score tied, 3-3 after 12 innings, the game was suspended due to darkness. Shaler coach Brian Junker said the Section 1 matchup will resume either Saturday or Monday at Pine-Richland, depending on the weather, and his squad will attempt to pull off the upset of the Rams (143, 8-1).
“This one means a lot to us,” he said.