Newman Rallies Past King’s To Reach District Final

Anthony Zaleski had two hits and an RBI to lead Cardinal Newman.

The one-two punch of Tyler Krull and Robbie Hoyt worked as planned for Cardinal Newman Manager Sean Comfort.

The Crusaders pitchers combined on a five-hitter as third-seeded Cardinal Newman took advantage of their opportunities en route to a 4-2 victory over the second-seeded King’s Academy in the 4A-13 semifinals Tuesday afternoon at American Heritage-Delray.

Cardinal Newman (16-10) will play Pope John Paul II in the district final on Thursday at 7 p.m. at American Heritage-Delray. Pope John Paul II beat Heritage 2-0 in the other semifinal.

Krull, a junior right-hander and staff ace, started and went five innings, striking out three, walking two, and surrendering two runs, while earning the win.

Hoyt, also a junior right-hander, picked up the save, pitching the final two innings, striking out three, while allowed one hit and a walk.

“We had to throw everyone at them today,” said Cardinal Newman Manager Sean Comfort. “We had to get to the next game. They did what they were supposed to do. It was our game plan going in, using our top two guys.”

Comfort was extremely pleased with Krull’s maturity and selflessness.

Tyler Krull started and went five innings to get the win for Cardinal Newman.

“Tyler tired (in the fourth) and the good thing about him late in the year, he learned to tell me, ‘coach I’m done’ ” said Comfort. “That’s what I wanted him to say. Sometimes, he wanted the ball an extra inning and he would get jammed up during the regular season. He said he had no more gas left in the tank and we went right to Hoyt.”

While the Newman pitchers performed well, the King’s defense did not, committing five errors.

“We forgot to play defense,” said King’s Academy Manager Doug Magaw. “You can’t throw the ball around like that (and) not make routine plays that need to be made. We’ve been in this game many many times. I really cant explain it.”

Errors were a key factor in the winning runs.

With one out in the sixth inning and the score tied 2-2, Anthony Mages reached on a throwing error and moved to second on a single by Hoyt. They moved up a base on a fielder’s choice and both scored on a second throwing error of the inning.

King’s (14-12) tied the game in the fourth inning but missed an excellent opportunity to take the lead.

Casey Krance led off with a double down the left-field line and Dominic Mercurio walked. James Vaughan’s double to left-center scored Krance. Ryan Johnson walked to load the bases and Mercurio scored when Sean Hart’s bouncer was mishandled in the infield.

Krull struck out Andrew Goodlett and induced Matt Tucker into a 6-4-3 double play, killing the rally.

Hoyt went 3-for-3, while Rudy Viton, Bruce Steel, Anthony Zaleski each had two hits for Cardinal Newman.

“I’m very proud of our team,” said Comfort. “They stayed within themselves and our situational hitting came through.”

Matt Tucker of King’s Academy will be among the core group returning next season.

Magaw realizes he has an excellent group of players returning, including Tucker, who was the losing pitcher. They will, however, have to replace Mercurio, who played shortstop and was hitting .513 coming into the game.

Five players had hits for King’s, with doubles by Casey Krance and James Vaughan and singles by Connor Hart, Mercurio and Ryan Johnson.

The teams split their two games during the regular season, each winning by one run at home.

“Matt pitched himself out of many opportunities,” said Magaw. “I don’t care who the pitcher is, march a major-leaguer out there and if the defense isn’t taking care of business, they’re not going to win.”

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