By COACH MICHAEL SCANNELL
After playing five very exciting games, with all but one game ending in a one run game after regulation, the HMHS freshman baseball squad’s defense finally had an off day, allowing the visiting Saint Joseph’s Prep from Philadelphia to escape Spicer Field with a well deserved 10–2 victory.
Haddonfield’s own Joe Dunn got the start for St. Joe’s and won bragging rights with a well pitched and well coached win for the Prep. The Dawgs mounted several threats, the most serious was a late inning bases loaded situation with no outs and the game still within reach, JD Popp hit a screaming one hopper that looked like trouble off the bat but the St. Joseph’s shortstop made a great backhanded play to turn a double play and end the threat.
Even in defeat, the Haddons converted some highlight plays. John Alemi was flying all over the outfield making several diving attempts and flashing his strong arm, Tom Brophy also made an outstanding diving catch of a deep shot to left field, Sean Funke continues to play outstanding as the teams backstop, throwing out two runners. After the game, the Prep coach said that was the first time all year his fastest player was thrown out stealing. Mark Ostbye made an incredible bare hand pick and throw for an out and the highlight play of the day was a big league double play turned by Matt Cassell who fielded a hot shot to third, threw a strike to Ostbye covering second base who relayed a strike to a stretching Justin Skiba at first base for a bang-bang, 5–4–3 big time double play.
Later in the game, Julian DiNoia converted a nifty, unassisted 4–3 double play. Nick Gangemi continues to swing a scorching hot bat going two for two, and Cassell, DiNoia, Eric Kaulback, Dan Leverick, and Ostbye all had a base hit.
