SPRINGFIELD >> La Salle came into Wednesday's game with a chance to stay at the top of the Philadelphia Catholic League standings. The Explorers were one game ahead of Neumann-Goretti and at least two games ahead of everyone else with five games left in the regular season.
Despite a tough day for La Salle in offense, defense, and on the basepaths, they now share the top spot with Neumann-Goretti.
The Explorers made five mistakes and allowed runs on wild pitches in a 5-2 loss against the Saints at Ward Field.
La Salle coach Kyle Werman said, “We gave them more than 21 outs. It’s going to be hard to win a game.”
La Salle second baseman Matt Gannon said, “Coming off a big game Monday, it’s sometimes hard to push past that and come ready for this one, but (Neumann-Goretti) threw a good arm, we didn’t get hits when we needed them and we’ll face them again.”
All five of the La Salle (7-1) errors occurred in the innings that Neumann-Goretti (7-1) scored.
Jayce Park started the top of the third inning for the Saints with a single to right field. The ball got away and allowed Park to advance to second. He moved to third when a pickoff attempt went into center field and scored on a wild pitch, giving Neumann-Goretti a 1-0 advantage.
In the top of the sixth, two Saints reached base on errors and another advanced on a pickoff attempt. One run scored on an error and another on a wild pitch before Will Gural’s two-run double put his side ahead by five runs, 5-0.
La Salle pitcher Logan Potter started and took the loss. In 5 1/3 innings he allowed three runs on three hits. He struck out seven batters to no walks.
“I thought Potter threw fantastic,” Werman said. “He did everything he needed to do. We just didn’t make plays behind him today and they got a couple big hits when it mattered. That’s usually what turns the tide.”
La Salle’s offense managed six hits in the game and scored its runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Park threw a complete game for the Saints, striking out eight batters to three walks.
“(Park is) an ace in this league,” Werman said. “He’s been around for a while and that’s a guy where there is not a lot of margin for error.”
“(Park) threw a couple pitches for strikes,” Gannon said, “and was changing his looks, changing his speeds and he got us off-balance. He did well.”
Park was able to leave the bases loaded in the bottom of the second inning and recorded the final out of the game with the tying run at the plate.
Gannon had a hand in both of the Explorers runs. In the bottom of the sixth inning he worked a walk before moving to second on a single and third on a groundout. He scored on a balk. In the seventh he grounded out with the bases loaded to knock in a run and get the Explorers within 5-2.
La Salle and Neumann-Goretti are ahead of Conwell-Egan (6-3), Archbishop Wood (5-3), and Bonner-Prendie (5-3) in the PCL standings.
Werman said there is still a lot to happen in this league. This year, some teams that haven't done well in the past have strong pitchers and could surprise others. Coach (Jeff) Manto is doing a great job at Egan. There is still much to happen in the league.
Neumann-Goretti beats La Salle 5-2
Neumann-Goretti scored 5 runs in the game.
La Salle scored 2 runs.
Jayce Park pitched 7 innings, struck out 8 batters, walked 3, and allowed 6 hits and 2 runs for Neumann-Goretti.
Logan Potter pitched 5.1 innings, struck out 7 batters, walked 0, and allowed 3 hits and 3 runs for La Salle.
NG's Christian Cerone, Evan McCoach, and Will Gural hit doubles. LS's David Vozzo also hit a double.
