Big hits from Kenning, Fitzgerald lift Pope John Paul II baseball past Phoenixville

UPPER PROVIDENCE >> Burger King’s “Whopper Jingle” has received widespread popularity in the past year, taking the internet by storm with its lyrics and catchy tune on TV. The song has taken Pope John Paul II’s baseball team by storm, too.

When Brendan Kenning steps up to the plate, the Golden Panthers chant his initials in tune of the fast food phenomenon. And on Monday, Kenning had it his way.

Holding a 2-1 lead over Phoenixville in the bottom of the fifth inning, Kenning broke the game open with a three-run homer before unloading a double with the bases loaded an inning later.

With a 3-for-4 outing, five RBIs and three runs plated, Kenning feasted as Pope John Paul II took a 10-9 win over the Phantoms at home.

“I think they know it bothers me, but whatever. I’m hitting well with it right now, so it’s OK,” Kenning said on his unrequested walkup song.

FINAL — Pope John Paul II 10, Phoenixville 9

PJP takes control of the PAC Frontier behind monster batting from Brendan Kenning and Billy Fitzgerald.

Insane effort from Phoenixville to close the gap with eight runs in the two of the seventh. pic.twitter.com/b2dVGAeeHB

— Evan Wheaton (@EvanWheaton) April 17, 2023

The game was a battle of unbeatens in Pioneer Athletic Conference Frontier play, the Golden Panthers (6-2, 4-0) taking a divisional lead over Phoenixville (5-3, 3-1).

The Phantoms came back from the dead in the seventh inning. Down 10-1, Phoenixville loaded the bases and unleashed eight runs, seven of them with one out. A shortstop error plated the initial run of the frame before a Wade Carruthers RBI single.

A PJP pitching change didn’t stem the tide as the Phantoms answered with back-to-back walks to force in runs, then Colin Bull (2-for-4) added an RBI single to bring Phoenixville within 10-6.

Elon commit Hudson Narke (2-for-4) followed up with a run-scoring hit and a fielder’s choice allowed the game to come within a single run before a flyout pulled the Golden Panthers out of a devastating, near game-losing final inning.

“PJP struggled to find command of the strike zone in the top of the seventh,” Phantoms coach Geoff Thomas said. “I encouraged our guys to wait until they saw a strike. Our bench got involved in the game, picked up momentum and our approach was base-to-base. One base at a time.”

Top 7 | What is happening?

Colin Bull RBI single, that’s five runs for the Phantoms with one out.

Pope John Paul II 10, Phoenixville 6 pic.twitter.com/MuRZeOdK9F

— Evan Wheaton (@EvanWheaton) April 17, 2023

Phoenixville’s other run came in the top of the third inning. With the bases loaded and no outs, Nico Nattle cashed in with a RBI single to cut the game to 2-1 in favor of Pope John Paul II.

The Phantoms had the bases loaded three separate innings, but were unable to score when they were in position during the fifth inning. A popout and two strikeouts from AJ Diaddezio (eight strikeouts, four hits, five innings) prevented any damage.

“If we come up with a key hit in those innings with runners in scoring position, it can turn into a different type of a ball game,” Thomas said. “If they don’t tack on four, five in the sixth, and we come out in the top of the seventh, it’s a whole different ball game.”

Billy Fitzgerald, batting fourth in the Golden Panthers’ order behind Kenning, also provided a bulk of Pope John Paul’s damage. Kenning knocked a two-out double in the bottom of the first inning, and with Fitzgerald up, he sent a two-run home run over center to go up 2-0 immediately.

In the bottom of the sixth, Fitzgerald belted a two-run double to create the Golden Panthers’ nine-run cushion, 10-1 entering the final inning.

Bot 1 | Golden Panthers strike first.

Brendan Kenning knocks a two-out double, DH Billy Fitzgerald sends a two-run shot over center.

Pope John Paul II 2, Phoenixville 0 pic.twitter.com/FjoPKO6k8C

— Evan Wheaton (@EvanWheaton) April 17, 2023

Altogether, Kenning and Fitzgerald combined for five hits on seven at bats worth nine RBIs, four runs scored and four extra base hits. A one-two punch in the order, the duo built up just enough in advance to hold out against Phoenixville’s late surge.

“The team is doing a great job seeing pitches,” Kenning said. “On (my) home run, I was able to fight a few good pitches off and just took advantage of one I thought I could hit.”

Bot 5 | Brendan Kenning opens this game up with a three-run homer.

🎵 PJP chanting the “BK” Burger King jingle from the home dugout 🎵

Pope John Paul II 5, Phoenixville 1 pic.twitter.com/hWf2gFfCg7

— Evan Wheaton (@EvanWheaton) April 17, 2023

Assistant coach Zac Smiley was named the winning manager after Pope John Paul II coach Charles Deluzio was ejected in the bottom of the third inning. Frank Dimaio was called out advancing home for the Golden Panthers, debate sparking between both clubs about whether the runner was safe or not.

With Dimaio ruled out, the game remained 2-1 in favor of Pope John Paul II entering the fourth inning.

“No matter what I saw, people are going to make the call and the umpire has the say,” Smiley said. “Whether we agree with it or not, that’s what it is. It happens, that’s baseball. We move on and we’re good to go.”

Bot 3 | Bit of a brouhaha here.

Frank Dimaio is called out advancing home, Pope John Paul II coach Charles Deluzio is ejected after the play.

(My angle of the events here) pic.twitter.com/apKZ25P9bV

— Evan Wheaton (@EvanWheaton) April 17, 2023

Luke Terlesky had the only other RBI for the Golden Panthers. Aidan Sgarra led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a double and Terlesky wrangled him by roping a ball to center.

The last time Pope John Paul II won the PAC Frontier was 2017. Phoenixville — ranked No. 9 in District 1 Class 5A — has had its number since, winning the last four divisional titles (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022).

With a PAC crossover win against Methacton in eight innings last week and the No. 1 rank in District 1-4A, the Golden Panthers are among the top of the race to the PAC tournament by midseason.

“We have to use this momentum going forward because we got a couple big games coming up this week and the following week,” Kenning said. “We might be in first right now, but we have to keep going. We know some of these teams are really good, and they’re right behind us.”