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Ryan Dougherty is one of our trusty statisticians/observers. He is not to be confused with Archbishop Ryan or Cardinal Dougherty. "Doc" is a senior at Kennedy-Kenrick and the Wolverines' manager and he will report on games involving the team that has caused quite a stir on this site. He promises to provide balanced reports. You may contact Ryan at DOC20TOR@aol.com.

MAY 30
CATHOLIC LEAGUE SECOND-ROUND PLAYOFF
Kennedy-Kenrick 3, O'Hara 2
In the most exciting game of my short one-year tenure as manager of KK's
baseball team, I witnessed KK beat out O'Hara in a hard fought nine inning
battle. It was truly a pleasure to watch and to be a part of. After both
sides going three up-three down in the first inning, Southern Division MVP
Kenny Grant led off the second inning with a deep homerun to left-centerfield
off of KK starter Brett Heselpoth, giving his team not only the lead but also
the very valuable momentum. The Lions picked up another run in the
second off of Mark Barrar's RBI single to make it 2-0, and were probably in
high spirits after O'Hara starting pitcher Ted Rydesky sent the Wolverines
down 1-2-3 again. Heselpoth did not allow for that lead to grow, as he faced
only three batters in six of his seven innings of work, and counted on his
teammates to do the rest. Jr. CF Dan Rafferty seemed to be the only one up
to the test for KK as he was two of KK's first four baserunners. The walk
that Rafferty drew in the fifth with one out proved to be crucial as Steve
Orman, Matt Johnson, and Chris Lubanski followed suit with three straight
singles, knocking in two runs and subsequently tying the ball game. The
sixth and seventh innings netted nothing for either team, so we said goodbye
to regulation innings, as well as both starting pitchers. Rydesky and
Heselpoth did an exceptional job of keeping two strong hitting teams to two
runs in what was probably a nerve-wracking playoff atmosphere. The eighth
looked like the beginning of the end for KK as Fran Burbidge drew a walk and
was moved to second on Ryan Barksdale's sacrifice bunt. Butch Hogan then
came through as he always does and singled to right, moving the runners to
the corners with one out. Chris Lubanski, on in relief, ended this threat by
striking out Kenny Grant with the bases loaded on an impressive curveball. The
momentum was on KK's side and the game looked to be in their hands. With two
men on base and one out, Marc Wagner lined a ball down the right field line,
and using his fast instincts and amazing speed, Ryan Barksdale made a
beautiful diving catch. Ultimately, Lubanski got doubled at the plate. It was
exceptional plays like that, from
the likes of both teams as they consistently made these plays on hard hit
balls and there was not one error in the whole game…until the bottom of the
ninth. In KK's half of the inning, pesky Dan Rafferty was again on base (on
a hard hit double this time) with one out. Nick Sacony hit one hard back to
pitcher Grant, who had Rafferty stuck between second and third, but
elected to throw to first instead. The speed of Sacony forced Grant to rush
his throw and he threw it wide of the first baseman, sending Rafferty home
and giving the Wolverines the "W" and another game.
Props to Dan Rafferty, as he stepped into a big starting role today and
turned it into a starring role. He went 1-2 with two walks and two runs
scored.
DOCTOR!!!

MAY 2
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Kennedy-Kenrick 3, West Catholic 1
As West sr. C Rich Dinella's line drive dropped for a base hit in the sixth inning, so did sr. RHP Brett Heselpoth's chances for a no-hitter. However, that did not stop him from pitching a complete game victory for K-K. In seven innings of work, Heselpoth allowed only one run on two hits, while striking out nine. West sr. P Mike D'Elia pitched equally as impressively, giving up only three runs on five hits in six innings of work. The two combined to make seven half innings go three up and three down. The Wolverine second, however, was not one of those half innings. In this frame jr. SS Craig Borzillo came up with a timely two-out single to bring home Heselpoth and sr. CF Nick Sacony. Jr. RF Joe Zazworskey added a solo shot to left in the fourth inning to make it 3-0 and the way Heselpoth was pitching, the game appeared to be over. The Burrs of West gave it a fighting chance in sixth when sr. 3B Jason Roman made the score 3-1 when he brought in Dinella with a sacrifice fly. However, that is how the inning, and ultimately the game, ended, as they went 1-2-3 in the seventh for a fourth time.
DOC-aside: West Catholic had just as many double plays, two, as they had hits.

APRIL 30
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Kennedy-Kenrick 11, Wood 3
With a different looking starting lineup for this night game, the Kennedy Kenrick Wolverines jumped to an early lead and the starting pitcher, jr. RH Joe Zazworskey, did more then enough to make it stand. In the first inning, sr. CF Nick Sacony led the six-run barrage for K-K by belting a triple with the bases loaded. In the second, K-K took advantage of Wood starting pitcher, LH
Andrew Keeble, and his many walks. The Wolverines added three in the inning and gave Zazworskey a nine-run cushion. He rode this cushion to a complete game victory, giving up three runs on five hits, while striking out 10 and walking only one. Catcher Matt Lafferty and relief pitcher Luke James were the few constants for the Vikings on their slow night. Lafferty saved many runs by keeping wild pitches from going astray when runners were in scoring position; he also hit the ball hard every at-bat. James came in for Wood to pitch a solid four and one-third innings, allowing only two runs and striking out four. In the Viking seventh, after two infield singles, Ken Barker brought in two runs on a single to reduce the deficit to 11-3, but that was how it ended. For KK, sr. SS Matt Johnson and soph. 1B Chris Lubanski proved once again to be one of the better 2-3 combos in the league. They combined to get on base all nine of their at-bats, scoring four runs on five hits and three walks. Sr. 2B Bob Fazio was solid at the top of the order again as he scored two runs and picked up an RBI on two hits.
DOC-asides: Zazworskey, in his first two at-bats, walked twice and picked up two RBI on just eight pitches … Wood LF Dave Lorditch fouled off six straight pitches in a twelve-pitch at-bat.

APRIL 25
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Kennedy-Kenrick 2, St. John Neumann 0
The starting pitchers -- jr. Joe Zazworskey for Kennedy-Kenrick and soph. Justin Lannutti for Neumann -- both pitched complete games. Ten hits total in the game were distributed pretty evenly between the two, as Zazworskey gave up four and Lannutti the rest. However, it is the runs that matter, and both runs aided the work of Zazworskey. The first came in the bottom of the fourth as Zazworskey took himself out of the 0-0 tie by bringing in sr. SS Jason Connor on a sacrifice fly. A second run was added in the fifth inning when sr. CF Nick Sacony opened the inning with a double and was then brought in on a throwing error. The error came on a play when a Pirate infielder attempted to beat the speed of jr. LF Dan Rafferty to first base, but was not only late on the
throw, he also threw the ball away. Zazworskey posted six strikeouts and zero walks, while only taking one batter to a
full count. Lannutti was tough competition, as he only gave up six hits and struck out four.
DOC-asides: In the first inning, the pitchers combined to face six batters, forcing six pop-ups for outs in a total of nine pitches…K-K sr. C Marc Wagner drew the only two walks of the game… Sr. CF William Loskiewictz had the Pirates' only extra base hit, a double.

APRIL 24
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Carroll 16, Kennedy-Kenrick 13
Jr. C Jim Gillin finished the game at 16-13 with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh to end the home run derby and the game. This Catholic League victory over the visiting Wolverines of K-K came after a long day of pop-ups dropping on the other side of the fence. When it was all said and done, ten hitters combined for 13 homers on this Little League field. It is a shame that this game between two rivals was played at this place because when the ball was in play it was a terrific game to watch. Excellent fielding plays were consistently made by Carroll jr. 3B Mike Costanzo (also picked up the win) and the middle of the K-K infield. Both teams started off strong in their respective halves of the first inning, as KK's sr. LF Jason Rowinski, sr. P Matt Johnson, and soph. 1B Chris Lubanski went back to back to back on their way to four runs. These three continued to excel in the game as they went a combined 8-for-11 with five homers, three walks, seven runs, and eight RBI. Carroll answered back in its half when sr. 1B Ted Piotrowicz walked, and then was brought in by sr. SS Mick Hannan's homer, giving AC two for the inning. These two did their share to help their team to a "W" as they went 4-for-6 with three homers, five runs and five RBI.
DOC-asides: Lubanski's box score after three innings read as follows: 3-for-3, three HR, three runs, five RBI . . . There were 13 home runs hit in a total of 72 batters, meaning that 18% of the at-bats ended in a ball being hit out of the park.

APRIL 21
NON-LEAGUE
Kennedy-Kenrick 7, Ryan 1
Tonight was the Second Annual "Back in the Day Game" for the Kennedy-Kenrick Wolverines. The players of today wore the uniforms of past teams such as Archbishop Kennedy, St. Matt's and Bishop Kenrick, and ran through the "Field of Dreams"-like corn stalks that were placed in left field as their names were introduced. At first it appeared that the Wolverines left their amazingly talented team back in another day as they came out slow. Freshman LHP Tom Dolan, throwing because of a depleted Red Raider
pitching staff, pitched well, and held the Wolverines off the board until the fourth inning. Then K-K broke loose for six runs in the next two innings as sr. RHP Marc Wagner, soph. 1B Chris Lubanski (2-for-3, run, two RBI, three SBs), and sr. RF Brett Heselpoth (3-for-3, run, RBI) connected for run-scoring hits. Wagner got the win by pitching four and one-third innings, only giving up one unearned run and two hits; and Lubanski came in to pitch the rest, striking out three and allowing zero runs. Although only going 1-for-3, sr. Nick D'Aulerio consistently hit the ball hard for Ryan, and accounted for its only run. Although wearing an old time uniform, Mike O'Brien seemed to be helping Coach Steve Carcarey see the future, not the past. As one of three sophomores on the squad, O'Brien handled some of the catching and proved himself capable of the job by going 2-for-2, with a run scored, an RBI, and two stolen bases while remaining solid behind the plate.
DOC-asides: The 1960's proved to be the best decade for the Wolverines this year in the "Back in the Day Game" by going 5-for-6, with two runs and three RBI.

APRIL 19
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Kennedy-Kenrick 9, O'Hara 5
The Wolverines of Kennedy-Kenrick traveled to face the Cardinal O'Hara Lions, with both teams playing the second of back-to-back games on cold afternoons. The outcome went to K-K in the form of a 9-5 victory, an outcome that was decided through power hitting and errors. The score was tied in the error category at six apiece, but once again the Wolverines' bats were able to lead them to victory. A sloppy first inning in the field led to three runs for K-K off of sr. RHP Ken Grant. Grant pitched reasonably well throughout his stint of five and one-third innings, giving up only four earned runs, three of them off of home run balls. Jr. Joe Zazworskey and sr. catcher Marc Wagner were the forces behind those homers, as well as going a combined 6-for-8 with four RBI and four runs scored. Sr. Brett Heselpoth made the start for K-K and went four innings, giving up two runs (one earned) and spreading out five hits. The only one in the O'Hara lineup that seemed to be causing trouble early was sr. CF B.J.
"Butch" Hogan. Until the seventh inning, which the Lions entered down, 9-2, "Butch" accounted for all of the team's runs as he went 2-for-3 with a run and RBI to that point. In the seventh O'Hara put up three runs off four hits, but that was as close as it would come. Big hits in the inning came from sr. LF Larry Waterfield (2-for-3, two RBI) and Grant.
DOC-asides: K-K soph. OF Chris Lubanski went 1-for-1 with three walks….For O'Hara, jr. 1B Ted Rydesky, besides going 1-2 with a run scored, was also hit by two pitches.

APRIL 18
Catholic League
Kennedy-Kenrick 6, Conwell-Egan 3
C-E sr. 2B Shaun Kean may be the shortest player in the Catholic League, but stands high above most of the competition when he is in the batter's box. After leading his team to a big victory over La Salle yesterday, Kean came in strong and remained hot. He went 3-for-3 with a walk and accounted for all of C-E's runs with two RBI and a run scored. Kean got the best of jr. RHP Joe Zazworskey, but no one else was able to handle him. He pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up only four hits to the rest of the lineup and allowing only two earned runs as he picked up his second win of the young season. Eight of the game's nine runs came in the
third inning -- K-K opened the top half by getting five hits and four runs in eight pitches off of lefty throwing junior Greg Adair. Besides that poor sequence, Adair pitched strong ,giving up only one other earned run as he went the distance. Big hits in the inning came from sr. SS Jason Connor (2-RBI single, 3-for-4 on the day), sr. RF Brett Heselpoth (RBI triple, two hits total) and sr. C Marc Wagner (RBI triple). The bottom of the inning was all Kean as he knocked in two on a RBI triple, and was then brought home by jr. SS Gary Stricker. In the seventh, K-K soph. Chris Lubanski put one far over the rightfield fence at one of the deepest CL fields to make the score 6-3, and then Heselpoth kept it that way as he kept Egan scoreless in their last effort.
DOC-asides: K-K sr. Matt Johnson continued to raise his batting average with another two hits….sr. Nick Sacony extended his season long hitting streak…..Kean was a homer away from batting for the cycle.

APRIL 16
Catholic League
Kennedy-Kenrick 3, Roman Catholic 2 (8 innings)
Sr. RHP Matt Johnson reached base in all four of his at-bats for K-K, picking up three hits and an RBI. However, that nice showing at the plate went almost unnoticed due to the quality pitchers' duel that he was involved in. Both pitchers, Johnson for K-K and sr. RHP Phil Terry for Roman Catholic, went the distance. In 16 innings of work, these two combined for 29 strikeouts and a mere one walk for each of them. The victory went to Johnson (16 K's) and the Wolverines, but it was hard for any unbiased spectator to put the "L" next to Terry's name because of the gutsy performance that he put forth at Latshaw-McCarthy Field. Terry seemed to be grimacing on every pitch he threw (122), but managed to keep the hard-hitting Wolverines to three runs and 10 hits, while striking out 13, and consistently kept the ball in the infield. This was his first start of the season, and if yesterday's performance was any indication of his health, then he has bounced back well from an early season injury. Terry allowed one run apiece in the third and the fifth; both were scored by sr. Steve Orman. Johnson and soph. Chris Lubanski knocked in the runs. Terry's counterpart, Johnson, although striking out seven in the first three innings, also gave up four hits and two runs in those frames. Sr. CF Joe McCourt scored both of Roman's runs off of RBI hits from sr. Anthony Dabrowski. Johnson then went the next five innings, giving up four hits (two proved meaningless when the runners were picked off base) and striking out nine more. All of the strikeouts seemed meaningless in the bottom of the 8th when sr. Nick Sacony stepped to the plate for K-K with the score tied at 2-2. With jr. Joe Zazworskey on second, Sacony kept his season-long hitting streak alive by belting the game winning RBI hit to the centerfield fence. The competition between the pitchers made for a great game, and playoff atmosphere was felt all around in the early part of the season. McCourt and Anthony Dabrowski form one of the strongest 1-2 hitting combinations in the CL this year. They combined for five of the eight Roman hits and accounted for all the scoring. If the starting pitching provides
shutouts then they will take care of the win, but if not, then the rest of the lineup needs to start helping them out with their bats.

APRIL 9
Catholic League
Kennedy-Kenrick 9, St. Joe's Prep 6
On a beautiful afternoon, the Kennedy-Kenrick Wolverines traveled to the home field of St. Joe's Prep. The Wolverines appeared to be shining as bright as the sun at the onset of the game when they posted three runs in the top of the first off sr. RHP Matt Altomare. Altomare's troubles were not in his control or placement, but in the errors and fielding mistakes of the Hawk team. Prep posted an unearned run in each of the first two frames as sr. RHP Matt Johnson picked up four strikeouts. K-K broke out the bats again in the fourth as it added four more runs. Sr. 2B Steve Orman opened the inning with a single, and then RBI hits were made by soph LF Chris Lubanski, sr. RF Brett Heselpoth (2-for-3, two runs scored) and sr. C Marc Wagner (2-for-3, walk). Outstanding defensive plays by K-K in the third through fifth innings kept SJP off the board. Johnson made a diving stop on a hard-hit ball to end a two-out rally attempt in the third; Orman made a tag on the runner and throw to first for a DP to end the fourth; then Johnson, again showing good reflexes, made a catch and quick throw to first to cancel out an early single in the inning by Jr. SS Vince Gallagher. With the score at 8-2, SJP brought in jr. P Ryan O'Hagan to keep the Wolverines from double digits, a feat they had accomplished in their first five victories. O'Hagan did that and more as he gave his team a chance for a comeback by retiring all six batters he faced. After O'Hagan finished his half of the sixth, the Hawks started to show some scoring life as jr. CF Pete Chromiak took advantage of a walk, HBP, and an infield single by ripping a three-run triple to deep rightfield. K-K sr. CF Nick Sacony came up with an RBI in the seventh, making the score 9-6, and that was how it ended as Heselpoth came in in the seventh to pick up the final three outs on eight pitches. Johnson picked up the "W" by striking out four, and giving up four earned runs in six innings of work. Lubanski, a lefty swinger, managed to pull off another impressive day at the plate by going 3-for-4, with three runs scored and three RBI.

APRIL 7
NON-LEAGUE
Kennedy-Kenrick 12, Germantown Academy 4
The greatest voice in all of sports history, Harry Kalas, has the same great voice in person as he does on TV; and after tonight the Patriots of Germantown Academy and the Wolverines of Kennedy-Kenrick can attest to this fact. Coach Steve Carcarey seems to do something incredible each weekend and this Saturday of April he treated the players and fans by having Mr. Kalas announce the lineups of each team as well as throw out the first pitch. This provided for a great atmosphere and high excitement, excitement that the game could not match. This was due to the fact that the Patriots were of no match for soph LF Chris Lubanski and the K-K Wolverines. Chris started off in the first with a RBI triple and never looked back as he went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a triple, two runs, and two RBI. Sr. Matt Johnson, playing 2B, showed that he can do more then just pitch by continuing his impressive hitting -- 2-for-2, a walk, and three runs scored. Sr. RHP Marc Wagner, making his first start of the year, pitched well and kept the Patriots silent in the first five innings. Wagner had eight strikeouts and three walks, while only surrendering one hit. The Patriots were not willing to go home with a shutout loss, and pulled off three hits and four runs in the sixth of off soph. Troy Quinn. Jr. Catcher J.J. Hinkle and jr. P Alex Lee each had RBI doubles in the only scoring inning of the game for GA. Quinn then settled down and had two strikeouts in each of his two frames to end the game at 12-4. K-K subs played strong once again and answered back in their half, putting the Wolverines into double digits. Sr. Dan Neeld came up with the big hit, a two-run triple to deep centerfield. Good pitching is visible in the future for the Patriots thanks to two freshmen, RHP Matt Bruderek and LHP Sean Grieve. Both gave up three runs in two innings, but looked impressive at times. The lone senior, Captain David Montague, was the only Patriot with more then one hit, going 2-4 on the evening.

APRIL 5
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Kennedy-Kenrick 11, West Catholic 1
Kennedy-Kenrick scored 11 runs for a second consecutive game and picked up another victory; this one came against the Burrs of West Catholic. In the bottom of the first, West Catholic sr. SS Mike D'Elia (QB in football, two guard in basketball), got a base hit to left, and later in the inning was sent home on a sacrifice fly by sr. CF Gene Vecere. The inning ended in a 1-1 tie, and things were looking good for the undermanned Burrs, but D'Elia's hit happened to be not only the first hit, but also the last. The K-K pitchers, jr. Joe Zazworskey (5 innings) and soph Chris Lubanski (2 innings), kept WC off the board for the rest of the game, striking out 12 of the 21 batters. West Catholic sr. pitchers Jason Roman and Rich Dinella each fared well, except for one inning each. The third and the seventh innings proved to be the decisive factors in this game, with K-K putting up 4 runs in each. The third inning was 4 hits and 4 runs from the middle strength of K-K's order, but the 7th inning was different in its ways. Substitutions were made before this point, and many of the bench guys proved that if needed, they could fill in in the field as well as at the plate. Sr. 2B Bob Fazio had a solid at-bat and finished it with a two-run single to the opposite field; the Rafferty twins (jrs. Mike and Dan) each had RBI singles; and the team put together another 4 runs in the seventh to make the final 11-1. Sr. SS Jason Connor continued his impressive hitting with a 3-3 performance; and sr. C Marc Wagner continued his healthy hitting with two doubles and a walk on a 2-2 day at the plate.

APRIL 3
CATHOLIC LEAGUE
Kennedy-Kenrick 11, La Salle 10
La Salle had more stars, but Kennedy-Kenrick collected a "W" because of the TEAM concept they uphold. It was a very busy game; only three sequences of three up and three down. La Salle started making a move early in the game on sr. RHP Matt Johnson, but he got himself out of it with four strikeouts in the first two frames and zero runs. The appear-to-be rally in the first inning was interrupted by a beautiful strike from sr. C Marc Wagner to sr. SS Jason Connor, where he laid the tag on sr. CF Ryan Parfitt. He was caught being indecisive between second and third base. La Salle sr. RHP Tom Mattern kept K-K off the board in the first, sending them down 1-2-3, but trouble came about in the second. After catcher's interference and three walks, K-K picked up one run, bringing sr. LF Jason Rowinski to the plate. He hit a deep double to centerfield, bringing in three runs, and K-K finished the inning with a 4-0 lead. Parfitt, a true speedster, seemed to be causing trouble on the basepaths again in the third, but there was a beautiful relay from Rowinski to jr. 3B Joe Zazworskey to Wagner, who made a beautiful block of the plate and got the out. Mattern overall pitched well in the fourth inning, facing only four hitters. But one of them, Connor, helped himself to a long shot over the McDevitt sign in left field, making it 5-0. Looking to be in trouble at this point, the Explorers rebounded. The ball seemed to be falling where K-K players were not, and La Salle scored eight straight runs down their lineup card, giving them an 8-5 lead. Sr. Tom Gorman had two hits in the inning, and K-K sr. Brett Heselpoth was called in to finish the job. The bottom of the 4th and the top of the 5th both went 1-2-3, but the action resumed in the bottom of the 5th. Heading into the inning down by three, K-K knew it needed to work fast, and did exactly that. Three straight singles, followed by RBI doubles from Wagner, Heselpoth, and sr. CF Nick Sacony gave the Wolverines a 10-8 lead. For La Salle, sr. 3B Mike Manzi (congratulations on University of Virginia acceptance) added another hit and RBI to his collection with a strong rip down the left field line starting what had the looks of another eight-run inning; however, an impressive 6-4-3 double play got Heselpoth out of the inning. K-K added a run in the 6th, just like La Salle. Strong plays in the field by Rowinski and Connor ended the inning and the game, as La Salle added one run but came up on the short end. Sr. 2B Kyle Elliott (2-for-2, two walks), Gorman, Parfitt (three hits apiece) and Manzi (2-for-3, walk, two RBI) were among La Salle's headliners. The game appeared to be an excellent start to an excellent season, and these two teams could very possibly see each other late in the season.

MARCH 24
NON-LEAGUE
Kennedy-Kenrick 17, Dougherty 3
Dougherty started off strong in the first inning, but went nowhere thereafter. In the bottom of the first, Kennedy-Kenrick shot their hopes down and put up a quick four runs. A strong force in the first inning with his bat, and later in the game with his pitching was Chris Lubanski (Soph). He opened up his night of hitting with a bomb of a triple to the right field fence, which started off a 3-for-4 batting performance with 3 runs scored. Lubanski also pitched three innings, striking out 5, and only giving up one run and
three hits. Brett Heselpoth, after a shaky first inning, pitched a solid three innings after that, leaving CD scoreless while striking out 7 and giving up only four hits. K-K's whole order was hitting strong, wth 4 bats standing out. Both Jason Connor and Matt Johnson went 2-for-2 with a combined 4 runs scored and 3 RBI; Marc Wagner went 3-4 with an impressive three doubles; and previously mentioned Lubanski. Although only the second game of the season, K-K showed its aggressive style of base-running with numerous stolen bases as well as a suicide squeeze. A lone bright spot for CD was the 2-for-3 hitting of Ted Hoffman.