Neumann-Goretti Rallies To Seize 2017 PCL Baseball Championship
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MALVERN, PA - Jared Healey collected three hits and Neumann-Goretti overcame an early 3-0 deficit to defend its league title as the Saints notched a 6-4 victory over No. 5 Archbishop Wood on Saturday afternoon in the finals of the 2017 Philadelphia Catholic League Baseball Championship on the campus of Immaculata University.
The Saints secured their sixth PCL title in nine years and advance to the District XII (AA) Championship game on June 1.
Seeking its second crown in three years, Archbishop Wood jumped out to 3-0 lead in the top of the first, highlighted by Antonio Rossillio's two-run double. However, second-seed Neumann-Goretti answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning on four hits off Wood starter Jack Colyar, including a two-run single by Brian Reynolds. The Vikings took a 4-3 lead in the top of the third inning before the Saints responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third and tacked on a run in the fourth inning on an RBI groundout by RJ McGettigan.
The Saints held a 6-4 advantage in the top of the sixth inning before Archbishop Wood loaded the bases with two outs. Senior lefty Brian Sanborn, who earned the win, delivered a critical strikeout to end the inning and retired the side in order in the seventh before being mobbed by teammates in celebration.
2017 PCL Baseball Championship
First Round
No. 7 Father Judge 4, No. 10 Roman 3
No. 8 Cardinal O'Hara 11, No. 9 Bonner & Prendie 1 (5 innings)
Quarterfinals
No. 6 Archbishop Ryan 6, No. 3 Archbishop Carroll 3 (9 innings)
No. 5 Archbishop Wood 2, No. 4 La Salle College 1
No. 2 Neumann-Goretti 3, Father Judge 2 (9 innings)
No. 1 St. Joseph's Prep 5, Cardinal O'Hara 1
Semifinals
Archbishop Wood 7, St. Joseph's Prep 0
Neumann-Goretti 4, Archbishop Ryan 0
Finals
Neumann-Goretti 6, Archbishop Wood 4