The Vincentian Academy baseball team began their postseason journey Friday against Monaca in first round WPIAL playoff action.

The hopeful destination point of this journey - Falconi Field and a Class A championship crown. However, the river flowing to this destination is no Girty's Run. Instead, picture something like the mighty Amazon, loaded with piranha, snakes, wild savages and imagine the Royals rowing upstream without a proverbial paddle. This may best illustrate the obstacles that lay ahead for the Royals upcoming playoff road. Vincentian, an #11 seed, will have to possibly and probably have to conquer the #6 (Monaca), #3 (Carmichaels), #2 (Serra Catholic) and #1 (Springdale) to caputure the Class A crown that they covet.

Cross off the #6.

The Royals, behind a Brad Duffy complete game, edged out Monaca in opening round action yesterday by a score of 5 - 4. Duffy was cruising through four innings, keeping the Indians off the scoreboard while striking out six batters and yielding just two hits. Sophomore shortstop Ross Cortese was the sole run producer throughout these first four innings, driving in Duffy in the second and fourth innings.

Monaca's Sklyer Schultz ignited

Carmichaels Varsity Baseball Numeric Roster

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Year
1 Keller, Nathan C
2 Crutchman, Zack 2B Senior
4 Krall, Seth IN Freshman
5 Musgrove, Bill P Sophomore
6 Lapkowiicz, Joby CF Junior
9 Robinson, Trevor Freshman
11 Gasti, Chuck SS Junior
12 Maurin, Justin 1B Sophomore
13 Swift, Jeff IN Freshman
14 Webster, Dan OF Senior
17 Decker, Cody OF Sophomore
18 Virgili, Ethan 3B Senior
20 Wolfe, Zach OF Sophomore
21 Antonelli, Dan OF Freshman
22 Durbin, Zach C Senior
24 Krall, Jonathan IN Freshman
25 Robinson, Marcus 3B Senior
29 Kennedy, Jordan IN Freshman
30 McWilliams, Justin OF Freshman
31 Farrar, Anthonie OF Sophomore
32 Zack, Phil C Freshman
35 Andrews, Cody OF Senior

Monaca Varsity Baseball Numeric Roster

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Year

1 Caltury, Adam 2B 5' 9" 145 Senior
2 Couch, Donny LF 6' 2" 170 Senior
3 Gaydosh, Brandon OF 6' 3" 170 Junior
4 Wright, Victor OF 6' 0" 185 Senior
7 Coltruglio, Joey 3B 5' 10" 200 Senior
8 Schultz, Brandon 2B 5' 10" 150 Sophomore
9 DeFelice, Daryn SS 5' 8" 150 Sophomore
10 Delturco, Zach OF 6' 0" 175 Senior
11 Hall, Derek OF 5' 11" 165 Junior
12 Baker, Zach OF 6' 3" 150 Senior
13 Himes, Josh OF 6' 2" 190 Senior
14 Marcello, Joe C 5' 11" 165 Freshman
16 Martin, Jared OF 5' 11" 245 Junior
18 Goedeker, Brad 3B 5' 11" 200 Junior
20 Colangelo, Joe OF 5' 10" 165 Sophomore
22 Garuccio, Joe OF 5' 9" 150 Junior
23 McClain, Brian 1B 6' 1" 190 Senior
24 Schultz, Skyler SS 5' 9" 150 Junior
30 Krepps, Tommy OF 5' 7" 145 Senior
33 Tokarski, Chad C 6' 2" 185 Junior

Longings and yearnings of a Royal's share of the section crown were quickly impeded by Springdale's Mike Devine yesterday at LaRoche College.

As Vincentian Academy was looking to celebrate their senior recognition day; the Dyanmo's dynamo senior stole the spotlight. Devine, possibly the top pitcher in the WPIAL Class A, dominated Vincentian hitters giving himself, as well as his Springdale squad, a season sweep of the Royals.

Vincentian had a chance to claim a share of the Section 4A crown if they made a clean sweep of Springdale (Monday), Leechburg (Tuesday) and Serra Catholic (Wednesday). Devine, however, decided to squash any suspense that might have built by Wednesday's Serra contest.

The VMI-bound righty limited Vincentian hitters to just three hits, while striking out 13 and walking just two. All three hits against Devine came within about a minute span. The Royals opened the bottom of the third inning with three consecutive base hits. Joe Rukas lead off with a triple; Brad Duffy followed with an infield single and Ryan Healy capped off the day's worth of hits with a booming double.

Vinnie Rossi, although overshadowed a bit by his counterpart for the day, turned in a solid senior day performance of his own.

When a team's middle of their lineup goes hitless for a game; the chances of that team registering a victory are about as likely Jarko Ruutu winning the Lady Byng Trophy.

However, when your leadoff and number two hitters reach base seven out of eight times and your number nine guy chips in with a two for three, your chances increase a little. Mike Beerman exemplified why he could be the section's top leadoff hitter reaching base in all of his four plate appearances. The junior second-baseman went three-for-three, banging two doubles, a single and also drawing a walk. He scored three runs, while driving in two. The three runs scored and three hits put Beerman atop the team leader list in both of these categories with 15, while lifting his batting average to healthy .385.

Nick Quarantillo and John Gourley accompanied Beerman's lofty offensive output, delivering clutch base hits throughout the game. Quarantillo ripped a key two-out rbi double in the second inning, while Gourley added two two-out run producing base hits in the third and fifth innings. Quarantillo finish the day with a three-for-four, two double performanc and Gourley cashed in with a two-for-three, two runs scored and a stolen base.

Vinnie Rossi garnered his third victory of the season, improving his record to 3-1. The senior righthander leads the team in wins, strikeouts (34) and innings pitched (22 2/3). Joe Rukas roped a two-run double in the first inning giving the senior third-baseman a section high 16 rbi's.

The Vincentian Academy baseball team handled business about as efficiently as they could during a 24 hour span covering Thursday and Friday's Section 4 showdowns.

The Royals would make quick work of their division's cellar dwellars, defeating Wilkinsburg 15-0 in four innings and St. Joe's 10-3 in six innings. Key seven run innings in each contest fueled the Royal victories and sophomores ignited both. Ross Cortese blasted a three-run homer in the second inning of Thursday's Wilkinsburg game, while Ryan Healy boomed a grand slam in the first inning of Friday's St. Joes contest.

Junior outfielder John Gourley also aided Healy in the first inning onslaught versus St. Joes, smacking a line drive home run over the leftfield wall. It was Gourley's first dinger of the season, accompanying a solid three-for-three day at the plate. Healy also added to his first inning grand slam with a 2-run double down the rightfield line, giving him six rbi's for the game.

Junior Mike Beerman may have been the hottest Royal over the the two days. Beerman went four-for-four on Thursday and three-for-four on Friday. As if seven hits in eight at bats weren't enough, the Royal's infielder swiped six bases while scoring four runs. He also was perfect on the mound, striking out all six batters he faced in a two inning relief appearance.

Power, speed and pitching were the ingredients the Vincentian Academy stirred up to prevail in their section opener at Elderton.

The seniors paved the way, with Vinnie Rossi keeping the Elderton hitters off the bases and Joe Rukas and Brad Duffy leading the offensive outburst. Rossi pitched 6 1/3 innings, striking out a career high 12 batters while yielding just three hits.

Rukas and Duffy each blasted two-run home runs to lead the 12-run attack attack. It was Rukas third round tripper in six games and Duffy's second in six. They also each added a single and stolen base, while lifting their season averages over .400. Another senior Nick Messisca added two base hits and raised his team-leading batting average to .636.

It was almost if you could hear Jim Mora's infamous whining quotations of "playoffs, you wanna talk about playoffs!" As absurd as the former New Orleans Saints coach Mora thought about the media talking about the playoffs in reference to his team, it could be assumed that anybody not at Buster Clarkson Field for the Vincentian - Jeannette nonsection game would be equally and maybe even more baffled if the topic of playoffs would be discussed. Those that were lucky enough to have a seat for the event would completey understand.

The Vincentian Academy Royals strolled into the "City of Champions" yesterday with a mission. That mission was to rebound from a couple tough losses in Cocoa Beach as well as to solidify their lineup and defense before section play on Wednesday. Yes, the mighty Jayhawks were coming off state championships in football and basketball; but a thumping of a Jeannette Jayhawk baseball team that has struggled in recent years appeared to be just what the doctor ordered. This Jayhawk team, however, seemed to forget that were not supposed to be at the caliber of those record-breaking state champion football and basketball teams.

With the score tied at one run apiece, Jeannette sluggers exploded for eight runs in the third and fourth innings. Three-sport standout Kenny Grant pounded a grand slam over the left-centerfield wall in the third inning and a Nicky Altieri double fueled a three-run fourth as the Jayhawks had established a commanding 9-2 lead.

A Vincentian victory seemed about as hopeless as Zack Hankle and Alex Franc winning the WWF tag team championship. Then as electricity and intensity permeated throughout the ballpark, one of Section 4's most feared hitters decided to exercise senior leadership. Infielder-extraordinaire Joe Rukas unleashed a hard line drive over centerfielder Grant's head plating home Ross Cortese (three for four). Sophomore relief pitcher John Melvin then matched the Rukas double with a two-run two bagger into right center cutting the Jayhawk lead 9-5 after four and a half innings.

That lead would soon evaporate. The top of the sixth would prove to be a major wake up call for the Royals. The offense had been sputtering over the past couple games, but with their backs to walls and a four run deficit to overcome, the Vincentian bats came alive. Alex Franc, Brad Duffy, Nick Quarantillo and Cortese each banged base hits consecutively to start the inning. With the bases loaded and one run already in, Rukas would deliver the fifth straight hit of the inning. This base knock, however, was elevated a little higher than the others and landed in the outfield seats clearing the bases, providing the Royals with a go-ahead grand slam. Ryan Healy promptly followed the Rukas slam with a single, Nick Messisca drew a walk and Melvin added another run-producing base hit. When it was all said and done, the Royals first eight batters of the inning would reach base with seven of them coming via the base hit.

The Royals had erased the seven run deficit with the two big innings and now had established a 12-9 lead. Melvin (in relief of Cortese) had been cruising, blanking the Jayhawks in the fifth and sixth innings. The seventh was not as easy. In a due or die bottom of the seventh for the hometown Jayhawks, the fans were getting louder and even more spirited. Jeannette responded scoring two runs, cutting the Royal lead to just one run. The playoff atmosphere continued to dominate throughout the ballpark and when the Jayhawks loaded the bases after Grant was intentionally walked, first baseman Chris Smith came to the plate with the intention of spoiling the Royals valiant come-from-behind effort. Sophomore outfielder Nick Quarantillo would have none of it. Smith unleashed a sinking line drive that appeared to be ticketed for leftfield and perhaps a walkoff gamewinning base hit - but Quarantillo made an amazing diving grab of the liner robbing Smith and the Jayhawks while preserving the victory for the Royals.

Today's featured Vincentian Academy athlete is Vinnie Rossi. Rossi is one of five seniors expected to help lead the 2008 Royals baseball team. The 6'2", right-handed pitcher is battling for one of the top spots in this season's pitching rotation as well as providing depth at the corner infield positions. Rossi, a golfer and skier when he's not on the diamond, is also posting tremendous marks academically. He currently has a 4.2 GPA and hopes to play college baseball while majoring in engineering. He has narrowed his college choices to Penn State, Notre Dame, Grove City and Dayton.

Vincentian Academy seniors Brad Duffy, Nick Messisca, Vinnie Rossi, Mike Quarantillo and Joe Rukas