After a devastating loss to Xaverian on June 1, 2008, moral seemed low. But the Moore Catholic Mavericks Head Coach Nick Doscher must have well motivated his baseball team because the Staten Island team was determined not to suffer the same consequence they did in 2007, at the hands of these same 2008 Regis High School.

As much as the Mavericks were ready to do battle on the baseball field, Regis Head Coach, Dan Dougherty’s team was looking forward to another trip to the CHSAA Varsity “A” Championship game at St. John’s University.

Right of in the first inning, Regis took a tone nothing lead on lead-off single by Tony Negrin (46) who stole second and third bases. He later scored on a single down the third base line by Mark Skrapits.

Moore answered right back on a lead-off double by Carmine Pallechia (7), who later stole third base and score on a sacrifice fly by Frank Marchisello (#24).

Good pitching by Regis’ Joe Romano (#22) and Moore’s Dillon McNamara (31), great defense and well executed plays by both team created the suspenseful atmosphere at St. John’s University on this Tuesday, May 3, 2008, as each team denied each other the opportunity to score until the top of the sixth inning, when Negrin reached first on an infield hit, but was allowed second base, as Moore’s second baseman threw the baseball into Regis’ dug-out. Negrin reached third base on an error in right field. He later gave Regis the lead on a sacrifice fly RBI by Skrapits.

 The irony: Moore’s last lick was one of those that occurs in one’s imagination, for Mark Caretti (10) reached first base on a hit batter; Joe Harten (#2) walked, then, both Caretti and Harten would move one base up, each; Rich Palase (#6) was intentionally walked to load the base, then, Nick Wolf (#5) drove in the tying run, as he was hit by a pitch. So, the game continued into extra innings after Moore scored without a hit.

For the next three innings, Regis failed to capitalize on each opportunity that was presented with men in scoring positions, particularly with bases loaded in the eighth inning. However, the home advantage paid well for Moore, in the bottom of the tenth inning.

Wolf lead off the tenth inning with a double on the second pitch from Romano, Coach Doscher pinch run for the slower Wolf . Thereafter striking out the next batter, but walk Pellechia to have Marchisello popped to first base, Eddie Medina (11) hit the first pitch that would fall over the short stop heat, a la Yankees vs. Diamond Backs 2001 World Series, that would score the winning run from second base. Then, jubilation! The 2008 Moore Catholic Mavericks will meet the Xaverian Clippers in the 2008 Catholic High Schools Athletic Association Division “A” Varsity Baseball Championship at St. John’s University on Friday, June 6, 2008. Please visit the CHSAA official website for more details

Story by Cameraman Max Sanchez-Martinez

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| 6/4/2008