March 23, 2006 Issue                                               

©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

CHA Devils launch with victory
by Andrew Lazor

Chestnut Hill Academy’s Anthony Cafagna was the starting pitcher at last Friday’s game against the Catholic League’s Neumann-Goretti Saints.

Precise pitching and a fifth-inning scoring outburst helped Chestnut Hill Academy’s Blue Devils (3-0) top the Catholic League’s Neumann-Goretti Saints, 9-1, on Friday. The game served as a hometown warm-up for the teams. Soon, both squads will travel to Florida to scrimmage opponents from around the country.

Last year, the Devils went 23-10 and tallied a 4-6 record in the Inter-Ac League. Head coach Stan Parker stressed a singular goal for this season. “Our biggest expectation is to compete for the [league] title,” he said. “I think it’s wide open this year. I’ve got four seniors who have been playing with me since they were freshmen. This is their year, so hopefully we’re ready for that.”

Pitcher Anthony Cafagna started Friday’s game for the Devils. He walked Saints shortstop George Hatton after retiring senior leadoff hitter Anthony Giletto. The speedy Hatton stole second base, and came home thanks to a zinging single from outfielder Andrew March. It was the only hit Cafagna gave up in four impeccable innings on the mound; the junior hurler recorded seven strikeouts on the afternoon.

Neumann-Goretti’s scant 1-0 advantage evaporated in the bottom of the third. Saints junior Christian Varalli allowed back-to-back hits that quickly translated to runs after Devils senior Cory Broderick crushed a triple to centerfield. Third baseman Anthony Giovinazzo brought Broderick home, extending CHA’s lead, 3-1. Varalli got junior catcher Anthony Cardona on a leftfield pop-up to end the inning.

The Saints called in junior pitcher Michael Townsend after Cafagna retired the side in the fourth. Broderick took over for CHA in the fifth, repeating suit with three consecutive Ks. This inning saw the Devils’ bats spring to life. Senior Brett DiFelice started things off with a towering three-bagger to center. Varalli loaded the bases, then gave up a loopy two-RBI double to Cafagna. The next three Devils batters connected, including junior infielder Mike Christiansen, who sent one down the middle to put CHA up, 9-1. The game was called in the middle of sixth on account of darkness.

Coach Parker was quick to comment on CHA’s offensive prowess. “We definitely have kids who can swing the bat,” he said. “That’s going to be our biggest key. If we hit throughout the lineup and score runs, we’ll be okay.” His team is scheduled to head south for spring training this Thursday. On April 5, the Devils return home to face Father Judge at 3:45 p.m.