JUNE 1
CATHOLIC LEAGUE FINAL
Bonner 13, Ryan 3 (5 innings)
  All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately for Ryan today was the end of an unbelievable run to the Catholic League Championship Game.  In a contest that very few people predicted at the beginning of these playoffs, and even fewer predicted at the beginning of this season, Ryan met Monsignor Bonner for the 2010 Catholic League title.  Ryan and Bonner knocked off the two teams many considered on a collision course to meet in the championship, Archbishop Wood and Neumann-Goretti.  Sadly this game was lacking in dramatics as Bonner prevailed 13-3 in a shortened version of the championship game in just 4 and 1/2 innings.  Ryan showed great life in their first inning when Sr. OF Mark Golic reached via a strange swinging bunt placed perfectly down the third base line (the third basemen tried to let it roll foul, but it rolled fair all the way down and hit the bag).  I don't think Mark could have placed it better if it had been an actual bunt attempt (smile).  With 2 on and no out Jr. OF Kevin Mack lined a single to left to give Ryan a 1-0 lead. Next  Jr. SS Eric Frain's ground ball up the middle managed to find the outfield allowing Sr. 2b Sean Kovacs to score.  With one out in stepped Sr. LHP Steve Markle, who had a chance to help himself out before even taking the mound, and Steve delivered a base hit to right chasing home Mack, but Frain was thrown out trying to score.  Ryan took its 3-0 to the bottom of the 1st where Markle breezed through Bonner's top of the lineup setting them down in 1-2-3 order.  Unfortunately that was the end of Markle's success.  A leadoff double by Sr.1b Alex Liberatore followed by a HBP to start the bottom of the 2nd gave Bonner an opportunity to get back into the game.  Sr. SS Josh VanHorn drove both runners in with a 2-run double to right field.  With 2 outs in the inning VanHorn was chased home on an RBI single by 9-hole hitter Sr. 2b Mike Haley, who later scored on a single to left by Sr. OF Rick Reigner.  The bottom of the 2nd inning ended on a phenomenal play by the 2b Kovacs, who charged a dribbler beautifully and flipped to first base just in time,  Sean made it look easy.  The bottom of the 3rd was when disaster struck for Ryan, it was an inning that totaled 13 batters, 9 runs, 7 hits, 4 errors, and 3 pitchers used.  Ryan really shot themselves in the foot in the inning with costly errors, but credit Bonner for making them pay with timely hitting.  With 2 on no outs, Sr. DH Steve Markus hit a ball back to Markle which seemed to be a dead double play ball, but there was confusion as to who was covering second base and the ball ended up in center field.  This opened the flood gates as7 of Bonner's next 8 hitters reached base and 6 of them came around to score, ouch.  The 9 run outburst shoved a major dagger in the hearts of the Ryan players, who were just unable to muster any sorts of rally against Sr. RHP Anthony DiGalbo.  The celebration began in the top 5th when Sr. C Colin Budny grounded back to DiGalbo who tossed to first, ballgame.  Congratulations to Bonner's players and coaching staff.  Now to the Ryan players and coaching staff who I owe a great thanks to for allowing me to be a part of their season.  It was a great joy to watch you guys play, and an even better time off the field before and after games.  Best of luck to all the underclassmen returning next year, learn from this and build towards more for next season.  Also best of luck to all the seniors, many of which I am good friends with, as you move forward with your lives to college, you were a fun group to watch play this game.  The seniors Ryan will be losing were Sr. OF Mark Golic (3 year varsity player), Sr. OF Pat Kwiatkowski (3 year varsity player), Sr. LHP Steve Markle (3 year varsity player; 2nd Team All-Catholic DH), and Sr. OF Zach Victor (1 year varsity player; awarded the Archbishop Ryan Best Teammate Award by Kevin Mack after the game, very unexpected props to Kev).  And then there are these two seniors C Colin Budny (3 year varsity player) and 2b Sean Kovacs (3 year varsity player), who I saw as the heart and soul of this baseball team.  Budny was the heart, and he wore it on his sleeve, never shy to say what he really thinks, and always trying to get guys up and into the game.  Kovacs was the soul, was not quite as verbal as Budny but often spoke up in a more mild manner, but also played as an example, an example of how to play the game the right way.  Sean, as was Budny, was alway about the team winning first, he never had a problem putting down a sacrifice bunt, or hitting behind a runner to move him, Sean was about getting wins, not stats, and in his senior year Sean got plenty of them.  Congratulations to the entire Ryan baseball program for going from a team "...who might compete for one of the last playoff spots" to a team competing for top honors in the Catholic League.  This is more than likely my last write up for Ted's website so I'd like to take the time to thank Ted for the opportunity the last two years to cover some football and baseball games.  It was a pleasure working with you.  Until next time, if there is one, hopefully, best wishes to all.
-- Anthony Magallanes Archbishop Ryan Class of 2010.

MAY 25
CATHOLIC LEAGUE QUARTERFINAL
Ryan 8, La Salle 7
  Well it's playoff baseball time, which often means quality baseball as well, and this one featured two quality Red Division teams.  Ryan and La Salle split the season series, each winning their respective home game.  Taking the mound today for Ryan was Sr. LHP Steve Markle, and in talking with Steve before the game he was relaxed, confident, and not quite ready to go home just yet.  In a huddle before the game Sr. C and captain Colin Budny said it best, "I'm having way too much fun right now for this to end, Let's GO!", and what a ride Ryan is on, winning their last 6 games heading into the playoffs.  Now to the action, Markle allowed a leadoff single, but no quicker was that man erased on a well turned 4-6-3 DP started by Sr. 2b Sean Kovacs to Jr. SS Eric Frain to Jr. 1b John "Milk" Rizzo.  A two out single by Jr. 1b Joe Forcellini (he advanced to second on a Markle balk), followed by an RBI single by Sr. C TJ Burgmann opened up the scoring.  Ryan got into the scoring action in the bottom half of the 2nd inning thanks in part to three straight singles to start the inning (Frain, Rizzo, and an RBI single by Budny).  With one out in the 2nd Soph. 3b Mike Anusky was able to give Ryan the lead on an RBI fielder's choice (6-4 on the putout).  La Salle wasted little time in responding when with 1 out Forcellini tripled WAY out to left center, he was again chased home by Burgmann this time via an RBI double.  With 2 outs Soph. OF Tyler Koseniewski drove in Burgmann's courtesy runner with a single.  Ryan came right back at La Salle, following a leadoff single by Sr. OF Mark Golic, and 1 out double by Jr. OF Kevin Mack, Ryan was threatening.  Eric Frain proceeded to lace a 2 run single back through the box giving Ryan back the lead at 4-3.  After quiet 4th innings by both teams, Ryan attempted to break it open in the bottom of the 5th.  A leadoff single by Golic was followed by a beautiful bunt single by Kovacs and Ryan was right back in business, with Frain coming up to bat again with 2 on and 1 out.  Once again frain delivered an RBI single, this time only plating one, but ending the day for starting pitcher Jr. Brian Zielinski.  Behind Zielinski was Jr. Nick Burns, who after surrendering a 2 RBI single to Rizzo (both runs charged to Zielinski), was able to get out of the inning with no further damage, although Ryan took a 7-3 lead.  Zielinski's final line was 4.1 IP 8 H 7 ER 0 BB 3 K.  Entering the top of the 7th Markle appeared to be cruising after throwing up zeros in the middle innings (4-5-6), and retiring the leadoff man Soph. SS Colin Pyne.  However that second out evaded Steve as he walked the next hitter and surrendered another single to Forcellini (his third hit of the game).  With Markle's pitch count rising Manager Ron Gerhart turned to Sr. 2b/RHP Sean Kovacs to try and close it out for Markle.  After walking Burgmann Kovacs got the second out on a flyout to right field.  Unfortunately for Sean it was the third out that was evading him, as he then surrendered back to back singles to Koseniewski (1 RBI) and Sr. RF AJ Rodriguez (2 RBI), thus ending his day, with Ryan CLINGING to a 7-6 lead coach Gerhart turned to Jr. OF/LHP Kevin Mack to get the third out and preserve the win.  Almost immediately after Mack warmed up, the spectators (pretty good crowd on hands for this one) were watching Soph. 3b Mike Piscopo's RBI single travel into left field tying the game at 7-7.  Mack recovered to retire the next hitter and strand 2 runners on base.  This was a punch to the gut for Ryan, who was just went from one inning away from a trip to the semi-finals to being on the verge of extra innings with a very talented La Salle team who appeared to have stolen the moment.  Fortunately for Ryan Eric Frain was due up to hit in the inning, and the story of the game was Frain's ability to deliver in the clutch over the duration of the game.  With one out Frain laced a double to left center putting the winning run in scoring position.  Rizzo followed with a ground ball to second base which seemed to be ticketed for out number two, but whoops Jr. 2b Jules Arici had trouble fielding it allowing Rizzo to reach first.  La Salle elected to intentionally walk the next hitter Budny.  There is recent history between La Salle and Budny in clutch situations from earlier in the season when Budny roped a game winning walk off BOMB against them in the first meeting this season.  The walk brought up Markle, who although he was no longer in line for the win, had a HUGE opportunity to help his team advance.  After chasing two pitches out of the strike zone Markle was able to recover and drive in the run on...an infield single awkwardly placed between the pitcher and 1st basemen, there was really no chance for a play, ball game Ryan wins.  I was standing behind the first base dugout with former Ryan baseball and basketball player Jerry Smith and we both agreed that the ending was not the exciting one we had expected from this back and forth thriller of a game.  But hey a wins a win, and knowing these guys they'll take this one.  Player of the Game was an easy choice, SS Eric Frain, E Frain was 4 for 4 with 3 RBI's and a double, not to mention 3 runs scored, meaning Frain was apart of 75% of Ryan's runs.  Ryan moves on to face Blue Division powerhouse Archbishop Wood led by Sr. OF Brian O'Grady and a very deep pitching staff Friday afternoon at La Salle HS.  These teams met in a non-league contest on May 8 won by Wood 6-3, but it was a well played game, and I wouldn't expect anything less from the two teams the 2nd time around.

MAY 17
CATHOLIC RED
Ryan 8, North Catholic 3
  Winning streaks are also good, but winning streaks during the stretch run for the playoffs are great.  Archbishop Ryan extended their recent winning streak to 5 games (sweeps of both St. Joe Prep and Cardinal O'Hara) with an 8-3 win over North Catholic.  Ryan jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to Jr. LF Kevin Mack's RBI single, Mack was also chased home later in the inning, giving Ryan a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom half of the 1st.  After surrendering a run in the bottom of the 1st Markle was able to escape the inning with a 2-1 lead.  Ryan wasted little time getting that run back as Soph. 3b Mike Anusky was brought home on a Sac Fly by Sr. 2b/RHP Sean Kovacs; Anusky was on third after a leadoff single and a DEEP double high off the fence in left center by Sr. CF Pat Kwiatkowski.  With a 3-1 lead Markle virtually went into cruise control as he made quick work of the Falcons in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings.  However the bottom of the 5th was a different story for Markle.  With Ryan leading 4-1, Markle allowed a leadoff.  After recovering nicely to get the next two hitters out (via strikeout and groundout) Markle walked the #2 hitter Jr. C Tom Ditro, bringing up North star Sr. SS/RHP Ryan Etsell.  Etsell delivered an RBI single to right field cutting the lead to 4-2.  The following hitter Jr. 2b Dan Venuto also ripped an RBI single to right, making the score 4-3.  Markle did come back to end the inning with a one run lead in tact. With two outs in the top of the 6th Sr. OF Mark Golic was hit by a pitch, allowing Kovacs drive an RBI triple to left center field, giving Ryan some breathing room at 5-3.  A quick shut down bottom of the 6th inning was exactly what Markle needed, and exactly what he got.  With the momentum back on their side the Raiders tacked on 3 more runs in the top of the 7th highlighted by Sr. C Colin "The Blazing Cattle" Budny's bunt single (first of season, and most likely lifetime).  The bunt caught North off guard allowing Budny to reach without a throw.  Sac Flies by Markle and Kwiatkowski chased home two runs, with an RBI single by Anusky sandwiched between them.  For the bottom of the 7th Coach Gerhart called on Closer Sean Kovacs to slam the door shut, which he did in dominant fashion with 2 strikeouts.  Play of the Game was actually two plays.  The first by CF Pat Kwiatkowski, who made an awesome diving catch after calling a ball VERY early into its flight as the ball continued to tail away from him, to his credit his stuck with it and made the catch.  Also LF Kevin Mack made a similar play calling the ball early, as this one tailed WAY foul, but he too stuck with it and made an unbelievable diving snag.  Both players followed the old baseball rule, "If you call it you better catch it."  The regular season finale is slated for Tuesday 3:45 at Ryan, but with inclement weather on the horizon, the game is pending.  This is a big game for both teams with the playoffs around the corner, North is fighting for the last spot, and Ryan is battling for the 2nd seed, which would mean a first round bye.

MAY 10
CATHOLIC RED
Ryan 10, O'Hara 2
  Today Archbishop Ryan continued their winning ways through Catholic League Red with a 3rd consecutive win as their offense continues to just pound opposing pitching.  Ryan followed up their 19-hit, 14-run performance last week vs. St Joe's Prep with another solid 11-hit, 10-run game.  The winning pitcher today was Sr. LHP Steve Markle who tossed 7 strong innings, surrendering just 2 runs on just 6 hits with 3 strikeouts.  Markle was able to calm down after giving up a leadoff single to start the game by Soph. SS Mike Schneider, who was later chased home on an RBI single by Sr. 2b Pat Greeley; he was able to strand 2 baserunners in the inning.  Ryan took little to no time responding as Sr. 2b Sean Kovacs laced a 2 run homer (2nd of the season) to DEEP left field scoring Sr. OF Mark Golic, who reached base via an error on the SS.  Ryan went quietly the rest of that inning, as well as the 2nd.  With the score 2-1 Sr. OF Pat "Patty K" Kwiatkowski led off the 3rd inning with a triple, and was quickly chased home on an RBI sac fly by Golic.  Up next was Kovacs. It appeared that Sr. RHP Bob Boyle was pitching around him, and Sean patiently worked out a walk.  He was not on base long as Jr. OF Kevin Mack drove him in with an RBI triple.  The final run of the inning was driven in by Jr. SS Eric Frain on a 5-3 groundout.  The score stood at 5-1 entering the bottom of the 4th, where Markle decided to help himself with a double, and was later chased home by Kwiatkowski on an RBI single.  Ryan put the game out of reach in the bottom of the 6th inning when Kwiatkowski hit a 3 run homer to left field (2nd of the season) to put the Raiders up 10-1.  After cruising through the 2nd-6th innings Markle ran into some minor trouble finishing off the game.  After a leadoff single by Jr. C Bob Smith, Markle surrendered his second run of the game as Soph. DH Steve Trainor ripped an RBI double.  Markle recovered to finish the game off and seal the victory for Ryan.  Player of the Game honors were split between Markle (7 IP 2 ER 6 H and a 3 for 3 day at the plate with 2 doubles) and Kwiatkowski (3 for 3 3 RBI and a double short of the cycle ( 1b, 3b, HR) and countless sliding and diving catches in the outfield).  These two meet again Wednesday afternoon @ Cardinal O'Hara 3:45 PM.

APRIL 29
CATHOLIC RED
Judge 4, Ryan 1
  Many people refer to the sport of baseball as "boring" and "too long." Well, unfortunately folks, this one isn't going to change their opinion any time soon.  This was a long one, just how long, we stopped keeping track after it was 5:00 PM in the bottom of the 3rd (first pitch was roughly 3:51, not too bad considering some of the late starts this season).  Anyway, to the game . . . Ryan came out early and was able to manufacture a run almost immediately off Sr. RH Kevin Conroy.  Sr. OF Mark Golic led off the game with a single to center, and was later chased home on an RBI single to right by Jr. SS Eric Frain.  After a walk to Jr. OF Kevin Mack, Ryan seemed to have an early rally in store, however Conroy was able to collect himself nicely and get out of the inning unscathed.  The score was 1-0 Ryan going into the bottom of the 2nd, where Judge was able to disrupt the groove Sr. LH Steve Markle was in.  The inning was led off with an infield single by Sr. OF Kevin Faber, an infield single to start an inning often leads to something for the offense, and Judge was sure to follow up on that.  After tying the score on a Tom Prendergast single, Judge attempted and succeeded on a rare suicide squeeze by Jr. INF Kurt Sowa.  Markle was able to avoid the big inning, but he did however surrender the lead.  After a quick inning on the mound by Conroy, Judge was right back at it with the sticks.  Following a leadoff double by the pitcher Conroy Jr. OF Mike McLaughlin was able to find the outfield grass with an RBI single to right (he later scored on a fielder's choice).  So here we were with a 4-1 ball game, and Ryan still with 4 cracks at the plate.  Unfortunately, unlike the La Salle game last week, there were no late inning dramatics, as Ryan never really threatened to get much going.  Conroy was not overpowering on the hill today, but was impressive nonetheless.  He managed to keep the Ryan hitters off balance, and also was able to avoid being predictable as a pitcher (always a plus).  This was a disappointing result for Ryan, who was looking for their first series sweep of the season, which would have kept them right near the top of the Red Division.  However the loss keeps them right in the middle of the pack, but also allows Father Judge to stay right on their heels.  Coach Ron Gerhart was not devastated, but was disappointed in the way his team came to play today.  He knows that when their on their game they can be a very good baseball team, but today they just didn't have it.  However this group of guys seem set to shake it off and get ready for St. Joe prep next week.  Talk about getting over a loss, about 10 minutes after the game you could find this team rapping (Soph. OF Mike Palmer), and performing old school wrestling moves on each other (Myself and Sr. C Colin Budny, Jr. OF Tim Kane was the victim) while waiting for the bus.  The chemistry on this team is very strong. The Raiders will bounce back from this.  One last night, I would just like to wish good luck to not only the Seniors on the baseball team, but all the Seniors of Archbishop Ryan attending the Senior Prom Friday night at the New Jersey State Aquarium.  Be Safe!  And let's come back boys and make a strong run at the postseason.
  ****I was not able to attend the game Wednesday because of a prom EMERGENCY that needed to be dealt with . . . thank you very much, Ted (smile).****

APRIL 20
CATHOLIC RED
Ryan 6, La Salle 5 (9 inn.)
  Late inning drama is all a baseball fan can ask for, and this one certainly provided plenty of it.  The game started roughly 13 minutes late, but from that point on the game flew by, in what looked to be a serious pitchers' duel.  The two guys going at it were Sr. LHP Steve Markle for Ryan and Sr. RHP CJ Burns for La Salle.  Both pitchers breezed through the first 3 innings, leaving the game scoreless entering the top of the 4th.  The top of the order was due up for La Salle and they wasted little time going to work.  After a leadoff single by Soph. SS Colin Pyne and Sr. CF AJ Rodriguez reached on an error, the scoring was opened up by Soph. CF Tyler Kozeniewski on a fielder's choice (6-4 on the putout).  Next up was Sr. C TJ Burgmann, who laced a double to right center field to chase home another Explorer run. La Salle went on to tack on another run giving them a 3-0 edge.  La Salle was right back at it after Burns was able to continue his groove on the mound.  Following a leadoff double by SR LF John Sczepanski, La Salle was able to manufacture another run, making the score 4-0 going to the bottom of the 5th.  Finally the Raiders' bats woke up on a leadoff double by Markle, who was later chased home by Jr. OF Tim Kane, cutting into La Salle's lead.  Markle gained confidence back after his double and managed to pitch easy 6th and 7th innings leading us to the bottom of the 7th with a 4-1 ball game.  It was only fitting Markle would get to lead off and try to start a rally on his own behalf. Unfortunately, Steve wasn't able to get on, but his teammates sure were quick to pick him up.  Kane followed Markle with a first-pitch single, and that was followed by a walk to Jr DH Dan DeNofa, and an infield single by Jr. 3B Eric Frain, leaving the bases loaded with one out and a pitching change upcoming for La Salle.  The final numbers for Burns were 6.1 IP 4 R 7 H 2 BB 8 K's an overall strong performance.  Sr. RHP Garrett Nesbitt came on next, and had some struggles locating the strike zone as he immediately walked Sr. 2B Sean Kovacs on 4 pitches making the score 4-2.  After coming back and getting the next hitter, Nesbitt faced Jr. 1B John "Milk" Rizzo.  Rizzo showed no signs of nerves as he calmly and coolly knocked a base hit to right field, driving in 2 runs to tie the score at 4-4.  The scoreless 8th brought us to the 9th inning still even at 4.  After retiring the first batter of the inning, Markle encountered some trouble when Jr. 3B Joe Forcellini roped a triple to dead center field.  Forcellini was chased home on and awkward play, where Ryan's infield was brought in, a ball was smoked up the middle, deflected off Markle's glove directly to the feet of the SS Mark Golic, who unfortunately was unable to make the play. Markle recovered to keep the deficit at 1.  So here come the Raiders with one more shot, and with the top of the order due up, confidence was high.  Eric Frain led things off with a single to right, and then a strong at-bat by Kovacs drew a walk and made for a second base runner.  Jr. OF Kevin Mack then placed a perfect bunt, loading the bases with nobody out for guess who . . . John "Milk Rizzo", with another chance to come up in the clutch for his team.  Rizzo was not able to get a hit, but was able to drive in a run on a groundout to first base.  This play seemed bizarre because in a 1-run game with nobody out and the bases loaded, La Salle elected to play the infield at doubleplay depth? Things that make you go hmmmmmm . . . Anyway, in a tie game with runners on 2nd and 3rd with just one out, Sr. C Colin Budny stepped in and with a 2-1 count in his favor, picked out his fastball and raked it.  And do I mean raked it. The ball was smoked off the base of the fence in left field for a win in walk-off fashion.  Player of the game has to be Sr. LHP Steve Markle for his gutsy performance on the mound, going the distance well into extra innings, and also for his contributions at the plate.  Play of the Game was by Jr. Timmy Kane, who had a strong battle with Burns in the 5th inning.  Kane was down 0-2 and battled the count full before eventually grounding out to the right side and driving in a run.  The win puts the Raiders at 3-2 in the league with their next game this Thursday 3:45 @ La Salle.  Shoutout to Soph. Mike Anusky for coming off the bench and lining a base hit to left field in extra innings.  Sorry, nothing special out of this game from Soph OF Mike Palmer, who did not make any nice catches in right field (smile.)

APRIL 14
CATHOLIC RED
Ryan 14, Roman 3
  A catalyst is defined as a person or thing that precipitates an event or change.  When looking for a prime example of a catalyst look no further than Archbishop Ryan Jr. 3b Eric Frain.  At the top of Ryan's lineup today (the very top; leadoff to be exact) was E Frain making his first start at third base (he can also be found in the OF), and after 2 suspect fastballs called for strikes up in the zone, Frain got things started with a bullet for a double into left field.  Frain was later chased home in the inning on a ground out by Jr. 1b John Rizzo.  The 1-0 lead Ryan took into the home half was all Jr. LHP Kevin Mack would need -- well, almost all he would need anyway.  Mack was in charge from the first pitch, he worked at a quick pace all day, relentlessly pounding the strike zone.  Roman countered Mack with soph. RHP Erik DeLone.  DeLone seemed to be finding his groove going into the top half of the 3rd, when stepping into the box to leadoff was, guess who, Eric Frain.  Like a good leadoff hitter Frain worked a full-count, and better yet worked out a walk.  After swiping a base Frain was chased home on a two bagger off the bat of Kevin Mack.  Later in the inning following an RBI single by Sr. OF Steve Markle, DeLone began to unravel, walking the next three hitters.  With the bases loaded and two outs stepped in, once again you guessed it, Eric Frain who once again came through chasing home 2 more runs for the Raiders.  Just when things couldn't get worse Ryan Sr. 2b Sean Kovacs laced a double to left field for 2 RBIs of his own.  The totals for the monster top half of the 3rd were 13 batters, 6 hits, 4 walks, resulting in a whopping 9 spot for the Raiders making it 10-0 going to the bottom half of the 3rd.  Roman showed signs of life in the bottom of the 4th inning when the first two men reached safely, and Sr.C AJ Vagliani ripped a 3-run homer to center field, bringing the score 10-3 in favor of Ryan.  Now Roman's field is oddly put together, it appeared that up until the ball actually landed over the fence that Ryan OF Pat Kwiatkowski would make the catch.  The fence is shallow, but also very high, and on most fields it is probably recorded as an out.  But that was not the case here, it was a home run all in all.  (In no way, shape or form was I trying to take away from the hit, just making an interesting observation about the BIZARRE way this field was put together.)  From here on out Ryan tacked on 4 more runs to ease there way to victory and evening up their PCL record at 2-2.  There were multiple players worthy of player of the game; Eric Frain (4 for 5 (reached on error) with 5 runs scored and 2 RBI), Kevin Mack (6 IP 3 R 2 ER 4 H 1 BB 7 K's for the W) also 3 for 5 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI, and Sean Kovacs (2-4 2 doubles 3 RBI) also ( 1 IP 0 R 1 H 1 K) for the always popular 11 run save (smile).  But I have to go with Eric Frain, more times than not the smallest kid on the field, just goes out and plays, but also produces big time numbers.  Look out for this kid this season, if he continues to keep his play up, this offense is lethal.  This was a crucial game for the Raiders dropping their last 2 (walk off Loss at Bonner, 10-1 shellacking at home vs Roman) and with the departure of some players (unknown reasons) this could have been a falling out game.  Credit to these guys for regrouping and keeping it together.  Next up for the Raiders is a non-league contest vs Holy Ghost Prep on Saturday, before opening up a series with perennial PCL powerhouse La Salle.  Hopefully I am able to make it out this weekend to see HGP and local star Sr. C Greg Olenski.  I have played against, with, and even watched Greg over the years and he's a true pleasure to watch play the game.  Shout out to Soph. Mike Anusky for helping with stats, and also soph. Mike Palmer for, well, being Palmer.