Kehoe, Carroll top Crusaders
Patriots’ 4-run 2nd the difference in PCL contest
Tyler Kehoe hit a rough patch in the top of the second inning, the Archbishop Carroll lefthander surrendering back-to-backback doubles to Lansdale Catholic that enabled the visiting Crusaders to plate the first two runs of Monday afternoon’s contest.
“I tried to throw them in, pound them in, pound them in and they picked up on it and got the bat out there,” Kehoe said.
But the Patriots were quick to pick their pitcher up — responding in the bottom of the frame with a four runs, the first three courtesy of Dan Crossan’s basesclearing triple.
“That’s what’s good about our guys. We battle,” Kehoe said. “We had a rough stretch we lost two straight. We needed today. Our guys we battle, we battle, we compete and that’s what helps us, that’s what gets us through games.”
Kehoe paid back the Carroll bats, giving up just two hits over the final five inning while the Patriots tacked on a pair of runs in the fifth to claim a 6-2 Philadelphia Catholic League victory over the Crusaders.
“Our defense has been sound all year and we always back up our pitchers,” Crossan said. “And if we hit we just keep the momentum in the field and at bat.”
After the three consecutive triples from Shane McCarthy, Joe Basile and Drew Chiappa in the second, Lansdale Catholic (25, 1-5 league) registered only a McCarty single in the fifth and a Connor Thompson two-double in the seventh. In between, Kehoe retired 10 straight batters then gave up a walk before Thompson’s two-bagger.
“We struggled with runners in scoring position all year. If you look at our average it’s OK, but physically getting the guys in, we’re struggling,” LC coach Nick Villucci said. “And that’s just guys stepping up in key moments and getting the big hits.”
Cole Chesnet went 3-for-4 with a run scored while Chris Grill and Drew Butera both went 2-for-3 — Butera also scored a run — as Archbishop Carroll (8-3, 5-2) won its second straight after dropping back-toback PCL contests to Neumann-Goretti and Archbishop Wood last week. “Everyone’s been kind of in a slump but this was a good game to break out, just win. Good team win.” Crossan said.
Kehoe picked up the complete-game victory, giving up two runs — both earned — on five hits. He walked one and struck out eight.
Lansdale Catholic starter Nolan Dougherty took the loss, the righthander hurt by a few balls hit to the outfield the Crusaders could not make a catch on. Dougherty allowed six runs — all earned — on 11 hits in fiveplus inning. He walked one and struck out four.
“He has been unbelievable all year. He’s had nothing to show for it, but he’s been unbelievable,” said Villucci of Dougherty. “A 2-1 loss to (St. Joseph’s Prep), 2-1 lost to (Archbishop) Ryan and another close-game loss to La Salle. And he’s been great, he’s been phenomenal, unbelievable leader and he’ll get his wins.”
Both teams have Catholic League road games 4 p.m. Wednesday. Archbishop Carroll is at St. Joseph’s Prep while Lansdale Catholic visits Bonner and Prendergast.
“We’re close to figuring it out,” Villucci said. “And I truly believe we will. But we have a lot of work to do.”
In the second, McCarthy began LC’s hitting burst with a one-out double to deep center field. Basile followed with a double to left while Chiappa brought home bought with his double to right center. Kehoe kept the LC lead at 2-0 by getting a strike out and ground out.
Rich Melito began the bottom of the second with a walk while a Grill base hit and a Kevin Downs bunt single loaded the bases with no outs.
Dougherty came close to working out of the jam with a strikeout and a fly out, but Crossan knocked a 3-2 pitch into right past a diving effort from left fielder Richie Bass for a 3-RBI triple and a 3-2 Carroll edge.
“I was just thinking put the bat on the ball and get some runs in,” Crossan said.
Kehoe made it 4-2 on the next at-bat, chopping an infield single down the third base line to plate Crossan.
The Patriots added two more runs in the fifth. After consecutive singles from Max Hitman and Chesnet, Melito belted a double to left center to score both runners before being thrown out a third on the play. Archbishop Carroll 6, LC 2
Lansdale Catholic 020 000 0 — 2 5 1 Archbishop Carroll 040 020 x — 6 11 0
WP: Tyler Kehoe 7 IP 5 H 2 R 2 ER 1 BB 8 SO. LP: Nolan Dougherty 5 IP 11 H 6 R 6 ER 1BB4SO. 2B: LC-Basile, Chiapppa, McCarthy, Thompson; AC-Rich Melito; 3B: AC-Dan Crossan. Lansdale Catholic: Chiappa 2 RBI; McCarty 2-3, R. Archbishop Carroll: Melito 2 RBI; Drew Butera 2-3; Chris Grill 2-3, R; Cole Chesnet 3-4, R.