Sports

Stepinac H.S. JV Baseball Team Goes Undefeated

Crusaders preparing to build upon 17-0 record in post-season play.

Archbishop Stepinac High School’s JV baseball team has finished its regular season with a 17-0 record, winning the Bronx-Westchester JV Baseball championship.

But Coach Chris Mentrasti isn't letting members of the team get a swelled head about the terrific year they've had - so far.

"It's great to enjoy it, it's great to celebrate," Menstrasti said Thursday after practice with the team. "But it's time to get back to basics and make sure we've got it together."

As the team fielded grounders with music playing in the background on Thursday, Menstrasti reminded his players that despite the unbeaten regular season, all it takes is one loss because of sloppy play in the playoffs and no one will remember the accomplishments of the regular season.

The Stepinac JV Baseball team entered the 2013 season with high expectations after returning seven starters from 2012 at the White Plains school.  After tryouts, the team was narrowed to 25 players, with a midseason call up from the freshman team bringing the total to 26.

Over the course of the season, the Crusaders scored 10 or more runs 9 times, outscoring their opponents 202 to 88, averaging over 8 runs a game.  The offense was led by cleanup sophomore centerfielder Tyler Gambardella, who finished the regular season hitting over .500 and led the team in hit by pitches with 9.

Freshman Richie Wells was expected to split time as a utility infielder but quickly won the starting second base position. Wells provided excellent defense and a solid bat hitting .415 primarily in the 3 spot in the order.
Sophomore Catcher CJ Farias had an excellent year both at the plate and behind it.  Farias finished the season hitting .425.

The pitching staff returned sophomore ace Dan Meaney. Meaney’s arsenal of pitches, and ability to throw them all strikes kept hitters at bay.  His various pickoff moves to first helped get the Crusaders out of several jams throughout the season.

Closer Anthony Giardino single-handedly shortened the game from a 7 inning game to a 5 or 6 inning game.  Giardino’s fastball and sharp curveball effectively shut the door in every close game. 
 
The Crusaders pulled out two close wins against New Rochelle rival Iona Prep.  In game one, Dan Meaney threw a complete game and got out of a bases loaded 1 out jam in the 6th inning by diving into home plate to tag the runner out on a passed ball and inducing a ground ball back at him for the final out.

The Crusaders pushed a run across in the bottom of that inning to break the shutout and held on in the 7th for a 1-0 win.  Game 2 against Iona three weeks later saw Meaney on the mound again throwing 5 strong innings before turning the ball over to Giardino who also pitched out of a bases loaded jam and slammed the door to earn the save, completing the sweep and clinching the division title with a 5-3 victory. 

In the final game of the regular season, Dan Meaney, Francisco Jaile, and Anthony Giardino wrapped up the undefeated season with a combined no-hitter against Cardinal Spellman.

Mentrasti said the school's baseball program made a commitment to keep the JV players together for the season so they could develop and teammates would be ready to step up to the varsity team next season. During the regular season the JV team practiced with varsity players, and varsity players showed their support for the JV squad.

Up next: The Crusaders begin postseason play on Tuesday in a seeding tournament that will decide the seeding order for the playoffs. First up for Stepinac is St. Raymond's.


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