St. Andrew’s Rocca Hits For The Cycle In 18-7 Victory Over Boca Christian

The Scots congratulate Danny Young after his home run in the fifth inning.

The St. Andrew’s hitters were simply hoping for one big offensive inning to put the game away.

The Scots managed exactly that as they batted around the order during an eight-run fifth inning that closed the door on an 18-7 victory over host Boca Raton Christian on Thursday afternoon.

Shortstop Ronnie Rocca ignited the big inning with a three-run home run and then closed the scoring for the Scots by coming back to bat and lacing a two-run double.

“I was just working on keeping my hands inside and put the ball up the middle,” Rocca said. “Good things happen when you hit up the middle.”

Rocca completed a rare feat in hitting for the cycle, going 4-for-4 with a stolen base, two runs and six RBI while recording 10 total bases.

“I was seeing the ball really well today, and I was just sitting on the fastball and trying to drive it,” Rocca said.

St. Andrews Ronnie Rocca triples in the first inning. Rocca hit for the cycle, going 4-for-4 with 6 RBI

The Scots (1-0) recorded 16 hits, including eight that went for extra bases.

“They kind of shell-shocked us there in that middle inning,” Boca Christian coach Clint Erickson said. “That was a downer for us. But I am pleased with the spirit of this team. They were staying positive, and that is a testament to their character.”

Senior Danny Young followed Rocca’s longball with a dinger of his own, a shot to center field that was clearly leaving the yard the minute it left the bat. Bryant Koshi and Riccie Rocca followed with singles to extend the inning as St. Andrew’s put six more runners on base in pulling away with the victory.

Boca Christian’s Jonathan Kreh was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

The Blazers (0-2) were able to keep it close early on, responding with runs in each of the first three innings. After being shutout in a loss to Westminster Academy earlier in the week, hitters were patient in working counts and waiting on pitches. As a result, the Blazers managed baserunners in each inning and showed clear signs that they were settling in at the plate.

Junior Jonathan Kreh notched the team’s first run of the year when Matt Hageman was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the first inning. Kreh finished 2-for-3 with a pair of runs.

“We need to work on our hitting,” Erickson said, admitting that despite the lopsided result he is very happy with how his young team is coming along. “I appreciate the leadership on behalf of these young guys.”

Boca Christian started five freshmen and an eighth-grader in the contest, and the team has no seniors on its roster. Freshman catcher Casey Carpinello led the younger group by going 2-for-4, including an RBI double in the second inning.

Leftfielder Zach Zehring also homered for the Scots, and right fielder Riccie Rocca also had a big day, reaching base all four at-bats while going 3-for-4 with a stolen base, three RBI and three runs scored. Leadoff hitter Anthony Cirillo was 2-for-4 with three runs scored.

St. Andrew’s designated hitter Jordan Spitzberg was 1-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.

Starter David Lundberg earned the victory after throwing 89 pitches in four innings of work. The right-hander finished with five strikeouts, including a big putout to end the first inning with the bases loaded.

“I was really nervous, but after the first I felt comfortable and in control,” Lundberg said. “It feels really exciting and I’m just glad that Coach [George Sands] gave me the chance.”

The Scots scored runs in every inning, taking the lead for good in the second. Lundberg admitted pitching from ahead made it easier for him to work.

“The team backs up our good defense with good offense,” Lundberg said.

From the overall result, it would be difficult to realize that St. Andrew’s committed five errors in the contest, as the Scots also made several impressive defensive plays, highlighted by a diving catch in center field by Young on a sharp hit from Hageman leading off the bottom of the fifth inning.

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