By Everett Fell
Cathedral Prep held onto the CHSAA ‘B’ baseball title by a fingertip, pitcher Kevin McGrath’s fingertip.
A blister on McGrath’s index finger started to bleed profusely during a chaotic fifth inning in which Salesian scored four times to take a 5-4 lead.
Cathedral coach Billy Oettinger kept his ace on the mound and the decision paid off. The senior lefty pitched the full seven innings and Cathedral Prep defeated Salesian 8-6 to capture the title Friday afternoon at St. John’s University.
Before the sixth, Oettinger had to convince the chief umpire to allow McGrath to stay in the game
“I wanted Kevin in there,” Oettinger said. “It was his game to win or lose. The umpire was very close to taking him out because of all the blood.”
After Salesian’s big fifth, Cathedral responded with two in the bottom of the inning on designated hitter Ray Dawson’s two-run single and tacked on two more in the bottom of the sixth to give McGrath some breathing room.
Cathedral needed plenty of resilience to rebound from giving up a comfortable lead. Cathedral jumped out in front with four in the first three while McGrath coasted, retiring the first six batters. McGrath changed speeds often, mixing in his nasty change-up with fastballs and curves.
The blister, which McGrath first noticed in the semifinal game against All Hallows, altered his game plan. McGrath lost his control in the fifth, as the blister prevented him from throwing change-ups.
After retiring the first batter of the inning, McGrath struck out centerfielder Ivan DeJesus, but the ball got away from catcher Mike Mannett and DeJesus made it to first. McGrath threw two more wild pitches in the inning and Eric Johnson and Anthony Susi hit consecutive doubles to give Salesian its first lead.
“Most kids would want to be taken out in Kevin’s situation,” Oettinger said. “I was concerned at the time, but I had confidence in Kevin and the team.”
McGrath retired Tom Cannella to get out of the jam.
Cathedral wasted little time regaining the lead. The Wierzbicki brothers, Brett and Bradd, got things going with a walk and a double, respectively, off relief pitcher James Sampson, prompting a pitching change. Joe Granitto came in and struck out Ryan Cole before Dawson delivered the decisive blow, a line drive single to center, scoring both runners.
McGrath pitched a scoreless sixth and the Crusaders scored two more on Granitto in the bottom of the inning to give McGrath a three-run lead to work with.
Salesian threatened in the seventh when Vinny Prestopino scored on a passed ball. But with Susi on second and Cannella representing the tying run at the plate, Oettinger came out to talk to McGrath.
“I let him know he wasn’t coming out,” Oettinger said. “The runner didn’t matter. I told him just to get one more out.”
McGrath got to Cannella fly to center, where freshman Greg Mandese made the catch for the final out. McGrath was instantly mauled by his teammates.
“It’s the greatest win I’ve ever had,” Oettinger said. “They’re a great bunch of kids. It’s a great feeling.”
McGrath’s brilliant season drove Cathedral to the title. McGrath finished the year 9-0. McGrath, who started on just three days rest, struck out six and allowed only four hits on the day. He also went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored three times
“Salesian didn’t start their ace because he pitched recently,” Oettinger said. “I had to go with Kevin even on short rest. There’s no tomorrow.”
There may be no tomorrow for Salesian, but for McGrath, his pitching career will continue at Scranton University.
Reach contributing writer Everett Fell by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 130.
