by Joe DiBlasi
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Archbishop Spalding got a lead off home run off the bat of left-fielder Matt Hillsinger to start the game, a bases loaded double by catcher Eddie Palmer in a five-run second inning and a two-run double from third-baseman Adam Summerfeldt, in a four run third, and the second-ranked Cavaliers would go on to a 10-3 romp over #1 Calvert Hall at Carlo Crispino Stadium, on Wednesday.
With the win, the Cavs (24-4, 13-2) moved into first place in the MIAA A Conference, taking a half game lead over the Cardinals (20-6, 12-2) and marking the first time that Calvert Hall has not at least held a share of first place since 2006.
Senior Paul DeVito, who got the win, held the Cards to seven hits in six and one-third innings of work and Jason Patten got the last two outs in the seventh to preserve the win for coach Steve Miller.
“I made good pitches that I needed to make to get out of difficulty,” said DeVito. “They’re a real good team, and they make you work hard.”
The Cavs turned two doubleplays to stop Cardinal threats and DeVito and Patten combined to fan eight hitters.
DeVito missed three weeks earlier in the season with a wrist injury, sustained when a line drive back to the mound took him out of the rotation. He has been the ace of the Cavalier staff for much of his career, and his healthy return to form will bolster Spalding’s shot at the title this season.
Calvert Hall answered the Hellsinger homer in the first, when shortstop Patrick Blair singled in Patrick Fitzgerald to tie the score. Blair was a bright spot again for coach Lou Eckerl, going 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
Fitzgerald reached base four times, with three walks and a lead-off single in the seventh.
“DeVito had real good stuff today,” said Blair. “I take my hat off to Spalding, they outplayed us today.”
Calvert Hall starter Blake Geiger retired the first two batters he faced in the Spalding sceond, but then the roof caved in.
Kevin Moran, the outstanding quarterback on the Cavalier football team last fall, reached on an infield single, Hillsinger walked and Adam Summerfeldt singled to score the speedy Moran. Then, with runners on first and third, the Cavs pulled a double-steal. Card’s catcher Luke Sawyer threw through to second, and shortstop Blair immediately fired home, but Hillsinger beat the throw and the Cavs were up 3-1.
Things got worse for Geiger, as he walked Jeff Kemp and Kody Hines to load the bases, and Palmer wrapped a double to center
to plate three more Cavalier runs.
Spalding would get four more in the third, when Patten doubled with one away. Patten also stole third and scored when Moran hit a grounder to short. With Moran on first with a fielder’s choice, Hillsinger reached base on an infield error and the rampaging Cavaliers pulled another double steal before Summerfeldt smashed a double to deep center, scoring two more.
Coach Lou Eckerl used five pitchers on the day, in an effort to keep his staff rested with games on Thursday at Loyola, and on Saturday at St. Paul’s. Both the Dons (18-6, 8-4) and the Crusaders (14-7, 8-5) have been playing well recently as they sit in fourth and fifth place, respectively, just behind third-place Curley (15-6, 9-4). Spalding plays Blakefield, on Friday, so by weeks end, the A Conference standings could be shuffled even more.
Cardinal Gibbons (13-9, 5-8), which has proven it can beat anybody in the league, currently holds a one game advantage over John Carroll and two-game lead over Mount St. Joseph in the race for the sixth and final spot in the tournament.
Archbishop Spalding 10, Calvert Hall 3
AS 154 000 0 – 10 8 0
CH 111 000 0 – 3 8 1
DeVito, Patten (7), and Palmer; Geiger, Terry (3), Geiss (4), Caddick (5), Trionfo (6) and Sawyer, Trout (5).
2B: AS-Palmer, Patten, Summerfeldt.
HR: AS-Hillsinger; CH-Blair.
WP DeVito LP Geiger
AS 1 5 4 0 0 0 0 10 8 0
CH 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 8 1
DeVito, Patten (7), and Palmer
Geiger, Terry (3), Geiss (4), Caddick (5), Trionfo (6) and Sawyer, Trout (5)
WP DeVito
LP Geiger
2B AS–Palmer, Patten, Summerfeldt
HR AS-Hillsinger; CH Blair
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