Cardinal Newman Outlasts St. Andrew’s 5-4 In 9 Innings

Daniel Cole throws a perfect three and two-thirds innings in relief before scoring the winning run.

On a cold South Florida night that saw the temperature drop into the low 60s the host Cardinal Newman Crusaders needed extra innings and some good fortune to defeat the St. Andrews Scots 5-4 in nine innings in a District 4A-12 game.

It was a night that saw plenty of back-and-forth action as both teams had leads, only to lose them. In the end, it was the Crusaders who came out victorious as it was another opportunity for Sean Comfort and his team to stage a comeback.

“We are learning to come back from behind,” Comfort said. “Getting the lead and coming back multiple times, outstanding defense, timely hitting, great pitching, and our baserunning at the end proved to be the winner.”

Wednesday’s game was the second consecutive extra-inning contest for Cardinal Newman (5-3, 1-0) in as many games. On Friday, the team lost to Pope John Paul II 4-3 in 14 innings. Wednesday was a different story as a stolen base by Daniel Cole in the bottom of the ninth ended up being the game-winner when the St. Andrew’s catcher overthrew his third baseman and allowed Cole to score.

The game was a constant battle of back and forth from the first pitch to the last as St. Andrew’s (3-3, 0-2) scored in the first inning before Cardinal Newman went on a run of scoring one run in its first four innings.

Things got a little rocky for the Crusaders in the fifth inning. Cardinal Newman starting pitcher Dylan Gordon had been rolling since the second inning. After giving up an early run in the first, he proceeded to retire 11 of his next 12 batters in order. After a quick first out to start the fifth, he gave up an infield hit to St. Andrew’s center fielder Anthony Cirillo. Gordon proceeded to get another quick out. A wild pitch moved Cirillo to second followed by an error by the second baseman to bring him in, cutting the lead down to 4-2.

The struggles continued in the sixth. Gordon hit Scots second baseman Richie Rocca to start the inning. A throwing error by Crusaders shortstop Bruce Steel put runners on the corners with no outs. Richie’s brother, Ronnie, stole second and Zach Moses grounded out to second, bringing in Richie. Ronnie later came around to score on a wild pitch, tying the game at 4 and leading to Gordon’s exit from the game.

St. Andrew’s starting pitcher Zach Moses went six innings, striking out seven.

In came the hero for the night for the Crusaders in Cole, who did not allow a runner to reach base in his three and two-thirds innings of relief.

“I felt comfortable on the mound,” Cole said. “The coaches have been working me on the mound for the past two years, and I am fine out there and will do whatever they ask of me.”

He kept his team alive inning after inning despite the Crusaders missing out on some opportunities late to end the game. He took care of it himself in the bottom of the ninth.

After leading the inning off with a single into left field, Kyle Cunningham laid down a well-executed sacrifice bunt to move Cole over to second. With Bruce Steel at the plate, Cole took off for third and stole it successfully. The throw from the St. Andrew’s catcher sailed over the head of the third baseman and Cole came in and scored the winning run.

“I put the ball in play and got on base,” Cole said. “I got to second and coach told me to go to third, so I just went and trusted him. The catcher threw it away, and I scored.”

Cardinal Newman doesn’t have much time to relish in the victory. They have a quick turn around as they face another district foe in Lincoln Park Academy on Friday. Comfort knows that as long as his team stays focused, it will be ready to go Friday night.

“This is a big boost of confidence, beating a district rival like St Andrew’s,” Comfort said. “Just staying on task and taking care of business, and we will be ready on Friday night.”

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