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ANTHONY'S KNIGHT
Media -- Anthony Knight, Radnor's sophomore designated hitter, had an outstanding year hitting in the cleanup spot and earned second team All-Central League honors for the Red Raiders.
Ryan Kraus, senior pitcher-first baseman, followed up his all-Central League football season by also earning Honorable Mention as an All-Central League pitcher.
Ryan Kraus -- Honorable Mention All Central League 2008
 Thanks Managers
Senior team manager Tim Mattioli
Senior Manager Dennis Tolan
SENIORS HONORED WEDNESDAY, MAY 7TH
FIRST SENIOR RECOGNITION DAY FOR RHS BASEBALL
centerfielder Mark Ducceschi, pitcher Steve Mazanek, catcher Andrew Rufo, pitcher Sean Grimes,
shortstop Brooks Bentz, first baseman Ryan Kraus, second baseman Drew Mohoric, pitcher Tim Clement
CLUTCH -- Ryan Kraus was the winning pitcher and had three hits, including a game tieing double, in Radnor's 9-7 win over Marple Newtown.
 Deja Vu: Last Inning Rally Downs Tigers
Newtown Square -- One of the great things about baseball is you get a chance to bounce back quickly.
Leading 6-5 in the bottom of the sixth, co-captains Brooks Bentz and Ryan Kraus each made errors that led to two Marple-Newtown runs. But, the seniors came right back in the top of the seventh with key hits to lead Radnor to its second last inning win of the season over the Tigers.
Bentz, the Raiders' shortstop, made a nice play on a hard hit grounder up the middle by Chris Orlando, but his throw was a little high and pulled firstbaseman Kraus off the bag. Jay Trio then blooped a single to right field that sent Orlando to third. Orlando scored on a sacrifice fly to right field to tie the game. After Trio moved to second on a steal, Brian Leon hit a hard ground ball to Kraus, but the ball took a tough hop and carom off of Kraus' chest, second baseman Drew Mohoric had trouble getting a handle on it, and Trio scampered home with the go ahead run.
Radnor was not going down easily, however. Anthony Knight smacked a hard ground ball just inside the first base bag that rolled deep into right field and the burly Knight rumbled all the way to third for a leadoff triple. Kraus then belted a long drive to left center that hit halfway up the wall for a double as Radnor tied the game 7-7.
Kyle Kopp then singled up the middle to put the runners on the corners. Christian Loos, who had just entered the game as a defensive replacement, drew a walk in his first varsity at bat to load the bases for Bentz. Bentz took Ken Clark's first pitch to right field for a base hit to give Radnor a 8-7 lead.
With a drawn in infield, Mark Ducceschi hit a ground ball to second base, but the throw home was late to get the speedy Loos who made a nice slide to give the Raiders an insurance run.
Kraus, on in relief of Sean Grimes, set down the Tigers with two strikeouts in the bottom of the seventh to win the game for Radnor. It was the second time this year that the Raiders had beaten Marple-Newtown with a final inning rally.
Kraus had three hits on the day and was the winning pitcher in relief. Ducceschi continued his torrid hitting pace with three singles. Bentz came to the plate three times with the bases loaded in the game and produced a walk, hit by pitch, and single for three RBI.
BRUIN -- Sean Grimes, who will play next year at Ursinus College, got a no decision versus Marple Newtown.
 Kraus Stalls Fords
April 18, 2008
Radnor -- Ryan Kraus pitched five innings strikeing out five and scattering five hits to lead Radnor to its second victory in two days over Haverford High 5-3.
Radnor's bats were alive early in this one. After Spencer Holm walked, Drew Mohoric, Anthony Knight, and Kyle Kopp singled as the Red Raiders scored twice in the first. Radnor added another run in the second when Brooks Bentz and Kraus singled to left field and Mohoric drive Bentz home with a base hit up the middle.
The Fords put runners on first and second with none out in the third, but Radnor third baseman Kyle Kopp turned a 5-3 double play on a ground ball hit right at the bag. Haverford would later score its first run on a sacrifice fly.
In the third, Marcus von Hertsenberg walked and went all the way to third on an errant pickoff play at first. Sean Grimes then drove von Hertsenberg home with a single to right field.
Connor Walsh singled for his first varsity hit and Holm followed up with a bunt single to start off the sixth. Radnor added another run when Mohoric struckout, but the heady Mohoric reached base on an errant throw after the dropped third strike.
Kraus struck out the sides in the fifth, but got into trouble in the sixth when he yielded a single and then a double to Dan Santosusso. Bentz left his shortstop position to relieve Kraus. Haverford was able to score both base runners on an infield ground out and a sacrifice fly, but Bentz prevented further damage. The line on Bentz's relief effort was two innings of work, no hits, one walk, and three strikeouts to earn his first save of the year. Jordan Marmelstein was the losing pitcher.
Radnor finished the first half of its Central League schedule with a 5-4 mark and 6-5 overall record.
SAVE -- Brooks Bentz pitched two solid innings of relief to earn the save versus Haverford.
 Radnor Walks Off with Win
Radnor -- Spencer Holm walked in the winning run on a full count in the bottom of seventh as Radnor used another last inning rally to beat Penncrest 6-5 on Wednesday.
Radnor led 5-3 in the top of the seventh, but the Lions rallied to tie the game. In the bottom of the seventh, Penncrest's defense failed them. Marcus von Hertsenberg started off the inning with a ground ball that the Lions misplayed. Ryan Kraus then bunted and the visitors attempted to nail von Hertsenberg at second, but the ball sailed into centerfield where it also got by the outfielder. The Lions then intentionally walked Kyle Kopp to set up the force play at home with nobody out. Reliever Andrew Abrams then got a pop out and a strikeout that brought up Holm with the bases loaded. The pitch was a little low and Holm wisely took it for the Red Raider win.
Radnor trailed 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth before it finally got to starting pitcher Austin Barrett. Von Hertsenberg singled, Kraus reached on an error, and then Brooks Bentz belted an RBI double to right-center. After Mark Ducceschi walked to load the bases, Holm hit a ground ball up the middle. Penncrest second baseman Mark McGough made a nice play on the ball, but his flip to second was not in time to get the hustling Ducceschi who beat the throw. With the score tied at three, Drew Mohoric tomahawked a high hopper between short and third to score two and give Radnor the 5-3 lead.
Penncrest took the lead in the first inning when McGough led off the game with a double that hit the right field chalk line and then scored on a fly ball that the Radnor outfield lost in the sun. Andrew Kirk belted a long double in the fourth to give the Lions its second run. The damage would have been greater, but Mohoric made a diving play on a ground ball and Radnor starting pitcher Sean Grimes notched two strikeouts.
Radnor cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth when Kopp was beaned and recovered his senses enough to steal second. Then, Ducceschi singled to drive home Kopp.
The win by the Red Raiders broke a three game losing skid and evened Radnor's Central League record at 4-4 on the year.
SAFE -- Sean Grimes legs out an infield single at Lower Merion.
HOLM SWEET HOLM -- Sophomore sensation Spencer Holm shows his ups to snare this throw at Lower Merion.
4 Year Varsity starting catcher ANDREW RUFO
ROBERT COLLINS, only a freshman, has added a potent bat to the Radnor attack.
 Radnor Rallies To Stun Marple In 7th
April 8, 2008
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| By: Brendan F. Quinn , The Bulletin |
Radnor - It all started with a little, dribbling infield single.
In the bottom of the seventh inning yesterday, Radnor stared at a daunting three-run deficit as the gray sky darkened and temperature dipped lower. All looked lost for the Red Raiders as Marple Newtown prepared to register the final three outs for its fifth straight win.
But a legged-out single by Mark Ducceschi to lead off the inning brought the Radnor bench to its feet and kickstarted one of the wilder finishes of the young baseball season. In the end, a bobbled fly ball by Tigers left fielder Jay Trio gave Radnor an unbelievable 5-4 victory.
"That was a big one," said head coach John McGillian, sporting a nearly stunned look and wide smile. "How 'bout that?"
McGillian's excitement was understandable. The victory was as improbable as it was significant for a Red Raiders team looking to prove themselves in the hotly contested Central League. Ultimately, it could be that slow, bouncing grounder that propels Radnor into the league's category of serious contenders category as the season moves forward.
And it all began with Ducceschi.
After reaching first on the infield single to third base, the senior advanced on a wild pitch. With one out, sophomore Ryan Holm looped a single into right field to put runners on the corners.
The hit ended the day for Marple Newtown starter Steve DeCecco. The senior pitched strong, allowing only four hits and striking out eight, but his pitches were getting wilder and Radnor was threatening.
Tigers coach Mark Jordan handed the ball to senior Ken Clark. But the hard-throwing right-hander looked out of rhythm from the get-go. The first batter he faced - senior Drew Mohoric - bounced a lazy grounder back to the mound that Clark mishandled to load the bases.
The rally was officially underway.
The following batter - senior Sean Grimes - drew a walk that shrunk the Marple Newtown lead to 4-2. Up stepped sophomore Anthony Knight and away went the Tigers' lead. The burly designated hitter roped a single to left-center field that brought Holm and Mohoric across the plate. The game-tying hit was Knight's second of the day and gave him his second and third RBIs on the day.
"He's one of our better hitters," said McGillian, who spent the last four seasons guiding Upper Darby. "This is the third game he's come up with RBIs in key spots. So, he's been a clutch player who hasn't gotten rattled out there."
With the Radnor bench hanging on the dugout fence, senior Brooks Bentz sent a fly ball to left that looked like the second out of the inning. Trio charged in, but the ball hit off the heel of his glove, bounced off his chest and onto the field.
Grimes trotted in from third and was mobbed by his teammates, while Knight was given a hero's welcome as he charged to the plate from second base.
The celebration was to be expected. Under first-year coach McGillian, the Red Raiders (4-2, 3-2) were looking to make a statement.
The team let an opening day victory over Central League power Conestoga slip through its fingers. They followed the loss by getting blown out by a strong Springfield (Delco) team.
Three straight wins brought the Red Raiders' record back above .500, but McGillian still needed to see his team beat a proven opponent. A last-inning comeback victory over the PIAA Class AAA runner-up surely constitutes such a statement.
"How I feel right now, with how competitive and how aggressive we're being, I can't complain about a thing - not a thing," said McGillian, shaking his head from side to side.
Radnor starting pitcher Steve Mazanek got a no-decision, but pitched well. Going against a Marple Newtown team averaging 12.2 runs per game, the senior went 6 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on three hits.
Reliever Kyle Kopp earned the win despite allowing an RBI single by Marple Newtown's Chris Orlando and a sacrifice fly by Trio in the top of the seventh. Both runs were charged to Mazanek, who walked a pair of batters before being pulled in the final inning.
After trailing 1-0 for the majority of the afternoon, the Tigers (4-2, 4-2) put themselves in position to win the game with four runs over the final three innings. Senior Rob Gow notched an RBI with a slicing double to right in the fifth and sophomore Brian Leo picked up an run-scoring single in the sixth.
With the win, Radnor positioned itself alongside Springfield (5-1, 4-1) and Marple Newtown in the chase to catch undefeated Conestoga (6-0, 5-0).
In the long run, yesterday's wild win could stand as a turning point for a Radnor team that struggled to an 8-10 league record a year ago.
"There's talent across the league," McGillian said. "You know Conestoga is always going to have strong pitching and can hit the ball. But we played them in a back-and-forth game and my kids never gave up, just like today. They are a resilient group that will always come to play."
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KNIGHT RIDER -- Drew Mohoric scores the game tieing run on Anthony Knight's single in the 7th.
...then Brooks Bentz's hit to left field scores Max Lucki with the game winning run.
TIGER TAILED -- Steve Mazanek yielded just three hits in 6 1/3 innings of work.
 BENTZ'S BAT, KRAUS' ARM LEAD RADNOR
April 4, 2008
Radnor -- Brooks Bentz doubled and had three RBIs and Ryan Kraus was the winning pitcher to lead Radnor to its third straight win--a 9-4 victory over Upper Darby.
Radnor got on the board first. After leadoff hitter Spencer Holm was robbed on a diving outfield catch, Radnor's luck turned as Drew Mohoric singled thanks to a beneficial infield hop. After Sean Grimes reached on an infield error, red hot Anthony Knight singled to drive Mohoric home.
In the second, Mark Ducceschi doubled to left field on a check swing that only the strapping Ducceschi could have knocked beyond the outfield. When Holm squared to bunt, third base was left unattended, and Ducceschi wisely moved up a base. Holm then laced a single to center to plate Ducceschi.
The Royals fought back in the third in the only inning where they got to Kraus. The big blow was a two RBI double down the third base line by Steve Grande--his first of two on the chilly afternoon.
Radnor had a chance for a big inning in the third, but the inning ended prematurely when it ran into two outs on a double steal attempt. With Bentz on third, Marcus von Hertsenberg stole second, but Bentz was nailed at home and when von Hertsenberg tried to take third, he also was out. The Red Raiders did score twice first, however, as Grimes reached on an error, Knight singled, and Bentz and Rob Collins walked.
In the home fifth, Bentz and Ducceschi registered RBI singles sandwiched around walks to Grimes, Knight, Collins, and Kraus. On Ducceschi's bases loaded single, Bentz scored from third, but pinch runner Christian Loos was nailed going first to third. The home plate umpire ruled that Loos was out before Collins was able to cross home plate.
Upper Darby's Matt Suplee stroked an RBI double in the sixth to cut the margin to 7-4, but Radnor put the game away in the bottom of the sixth with the big blow coming from Bentz's two RBI double to deep center field that scored Holm and Grimes.
BENTZ BUT NOT BROKEN -- Upper Darby's Ian Hirst-Hermans tags Brooks Bentz at home on a double steal attempt in third inning action in Radnor's 9-4 win over the Royals.
MO THAN ENOUGH -- Drew Mohoric has been the Raiders' early season offensive catalyst.
THE DIRT ON GRIMES -- Two runs scored versus the Royals.
 MARC US UP -- Marcus von Hertsenberg awaits a throw from third baseman Spencer Holm in fourth inning action versus Upper Darby.
 GOOD KNIGHT
April 2, 2008
Kennett -- Anthony Knight belted a three run homer, had five RBI, and was the winning pitcher as Radnor defeated Kennett on the road 8-5 on Tuesday.
Coach John McGillian used the non-league game to take a look at some of his talented underclassmen and they certainly did not disappoint. Radnor scored four times in the first inning against starting pitcher Herb Pennock with the big blow coming from Hunter Van Brussel's double.
In the Radnor fourth, Max Lucki and Rob Collins singled before the burly Knight belted his towering shot over the right field fence for his first career varsity homerun. The 365 foot shot landed on the neighbor's yard in right field.
Knight pitched four strong innings before giving way to freshman Connor Walsh in the fifth. Walsh showed some pretty snappy stuff and struckout three consecutive Blue Demons in the inning. Brooks Bentz earned the save.
K-Man: Connor Walsh struckout the sides in the fifth for Radnor.
 KOPP OUT
March 31, 2008
Media – Steve Mazanek and Kyle Kopp combined for a strong pitching outing as Radnor defeated Strath Haven 6-3 on Monday for its first Central League win of the season.
Drew Mohoric has been the early offensive sparkplug for the Red Raiders. The three-sport star Mohoric singled in the first, stole second, and scored on Sean Grimes’ base hit to put Radnor on the board first on a rainy Monday.
Lanky starter Steve Mazanek struggled with the wet ball in the first inning and yielded three walks and the Panthers capitalized with a pair of runs to take the lead. But, the senior, showing an effective changeup, battled back to hold Strath Haven scoreless in the second and third innings.
In the Radnor second, Brooks Bentz walked, Mark Ducceschi singled and then both scored on Mazanek’s hard ground ball that hugged the third base line for a two-bagger and a 3-2 Radnor lead.
Grimes ripped a fastball to right center to start the third then beat the tag at second for a double. Left-handed swinging Anthony Knight wisely pulled a ground ball to move Grimes to third. After a walk and steal by Marcus von Hertsenberg, Bentz belted a deep sacrifice fly to center field that scored Grimes and gave Radnor a 5-2 lead.
Bentz drew his second walk of the game to start the fifth. When Bentz bluffed on a stolen base attempt, Strath Haven second baseman Evan Kline was fooled, and Ryan Kraus bounced a single through the hole vacated by Kline. Kopp ripped a single to left field to give Radnor a 5-2 lead.
Mohoric led off the sixth with a walk. On a stolen base attempt, the ball appeared to beat Mohoric to second, but the heady senior slid head first to the outfield side and avoided the tag. Anthony Knight punched a single to left field to give Radnor its sixth run.
Kopp, displaying some solid movement on his fastball, shut down the Panthers for three straight innings. In the seventh, Kopp attempted to close the door on Strath Haven, but he couldn’t have done it without some outstanding defensive play from his center fielder Ducceschi. Twice, Ducceschi ranged deep into right-center to haul in long drives to preserve the Red Raider victory.
Radnor takes on Central League rival Upper Darby on Thursday afternoon at home. This game marks rookie skipper John McGillian’s first game against the Royals—the club he coached for the past four seasons.
MAZster--Radnor pitcher Steve Mazanek pitched three strong innings and went 2 - 2 with a double.
Central League Baseball Preview
March 31, 2008
Radnor
If compiling a senior-laden roster is the key to success, the Red Raiders could be primed for a big turnaround. Radnor, which finished fifth in the league standings, brings back seven 12th-graders. Ryan Kraus and Sean Grimes will lead a young pitching staff, with fellow seniors Brooks Bentz (shortstop) and Drew Mohoric (second baseman) combining to assemble a talented middle infield. Catcher Andrew Rufo is expected to lead coach John McGillian’s team in production at the plate.
ALMOST HOLM -- Conestoga's Max Kenan slides by Radnor third baseman Spencer Holm.
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Outing & Silent Auction
Turtle Creek G.C.-April 25th
Record Attendance & Great Entertainment!
Big thanks to all those that organized and participated in the success of this event!
Golf Outing & Hole Sponsors:
Jon Kraus, Bill Opet, Craig Holm
Silent Auction: Jon Kurtyka, Barb Bentz
Hole Sponsor Signs: Kim Furtaw
Dinner, Registration & Silent Auction Setup:
Barb Bentz, Marcia Mohoric,
Bonnie Bentz, Rachel Kurtyka
Photography: Marcia Mohoric
Entertainment Coordinator & MC:
Bob Bentz
Comedian, Paul Lyons!
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ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL
RWLL-RHS BASEBALL CLINIC!
Special thanks to Joe Hammonds,
Coach McGillian, Shilcock-Elliott & Preziuso, RHS Players, all the moms always working hard behind the scenes and photographer, Laura Ducceschi for capturing the memories!
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Tuesday, May 27th
@ The Willows
Another year ended and the end of an era...
Thanks to Booster Presidents, Bob and Barb Bentz
for their two years of devoted service and organizing this special year end event!
Special thanks to Barb for the team and Senior gifts from the Booster Club!
Thanks to Marcia Mohoric for her 6 years of service as Treasurer
and her constant involvement in Radnor Sports!
Thanks to Photographers Laura Ducceschi, Marcia Mohoric,
Lynn Rufo (webmaster) & Bob Bentz (publicity) for capturing years of memories!
Many thanks to all of the coaches, parents and friends of Radnor Baseball
that contributed their time and devotion to the RHS Baseball Program!
Download Banquet Program for 2008 Memories and Full Credits! (check back)
Freshman Awards:
Offensive Player of Year - Scott Ball
Coaches Award - Jeremy Kim
Defensive Player of the Year - Kyle Opet
MVP - Kyle Von Hertsenberg
Junior Varsity Awards:
Co-defensive Players of the Year - Christian Loos and Zack Bowden
Coaches Award - Graham Ballbach
Best Pitcher Award - Curran Ruyak
Offensive Player of the Year - Sam Mannix
Varsity Awards:
Coaches Awards - Mark Ducceschi & Marcus Von Hertsenberg
Dick Jackman award - Drew Mohoric
Mike McGurl award - Sean Grimes
Brad Hayman award - Andrew Rufo
Josh Balk award (Pitching) - Ryan Kraus
Jim Balk award (MVP) - Anthony Knight
Senior Players, Mark Duccesschi, Drew Mohoric and Ryan Kraus presented
the Radnor Baseball Booster Donation of $2500 to Rip Collins for the RHS Football Turf Field
The Seniors (Andrew Rufo pictured) presented an 'autographed' picture to recognize and thank Bob Bentz.
Bob has coached every one of the seniors at some point in their baseball careers including
RWLL, Radnor Renegades, Wayne Wolverines, Wayne Legion and AAU Chester County Crawdads.
The frame included a senior picture and article from a Wolverines Connecticut Tournament Win in August, 2000
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