Bishop Shanahan gets shut out in Class 5A district final

CHESTER >> During Bishop Shanahan’s run through the District 1 Class 5A playoffs, the 11th-seeded Eagles won three straight close games. 

Their luck ran out Tuesday afternoon at Widener University, however, as the Eagles dropped a tough 1-0 decision to top-seeded Holy Ghost Prep in the District 1 championship game.

Bishop Shanahan starter Matt Bertolami pitched brilliantly, as he allowed the potent Firebirds attack just four hits while walking just one. But, Holy Ghost’s John Neeeld also pitched well, tossing six shutout innings before giving way to closer Ryan Strapoli, who retired the Eagles in the top of the seventh inning.

The Eagles (13-11) had their chances in the first three innings but they left five men on base in each of the first three frames and could not get to Neeld or Strapoli no matter how hard they tried.

“It is frustrating to put men on base and not get the big hit,” Bishop Shanahan coach Brian Boyko said. “But baseball games are long and you are going to have your chances. That is just the way the game is.”

The best threat Bishop Shanahan had was in the top of the second inning against Neeld. Kurt Pollard led off the inning with a hard single to center and moved to second on a perfect sacrifice bunt by Ken Kunzman.

Neeld then walked Will Ciarlone before striking out Justin Samson for the second out. But Neeld found trouble again as he walked Mike Prieto to load the bases with two out. Neeld got out of the jam by getting Simmi Whitehill to fly out to left and the game stayed scoreless.

Holy Ghost Prep (23-1) broke through against Bertolami in the bottom of the third inning. Gage Moyer led off the frame with a single and advanced to second on a bunt by Jack McDermott. Greg Sylvester lifted a long fly ball to right field that was tracked down but Moyer advanced to third base with two out.

Up came Lehigh University commit Phil Stahl, who roped a 1-0 pitch to left for an RBI single, and Holy Ghost Prep led, 1-0. Bertolami regrouped and got Will Binder to fly out to end the inning and Bishop Shanahan trailed 1-0 after three innings. That would be the last threat Holy Ghost Prep would have against the Bishop Shanahan ace.

“Matt had all his pitches working today,” Boyko said. “And it is a shame he took the loss because he certainly pitched well enough to win. They got the one big hit and we didn’t. But we are on to states and there is no quit in this team. They are all fighters. And give them credit. They made all the plays in the field but I thought Matt did a great job against a very powerful lineup.”

Neeld settled down after walking a tightrope for the first three innings. He set down the next nine Bishop Shanahan batters, striking out the side in the top of the fifth inning. Neeld struck out seven batters for the day and allowed the Eagles just four hits.

But one of those hits was Kunzman’s sharp single to lead off the seventh inning. That was all for Neeld and Holy Ghost went to its hard throwing closer Strapoli to end the game.

Strapoli got Will Ciarlone to pop up a bunt attempt for the first out with the runner staying at first. Pinch hitter Andrew Falk struck out swinging for the second out and Strapoli ended the game by getting Prieto to ground out to first base. 

“I really felt good today with all my pitches working well,” Bertolami said. “And we just could never get that timely hit. We were close but we just could no push that run across. This team won’t quit. We feel we can make a move in the state tournament. It is a very close group and I love all these guys.”

Bishop Shanahan will open the PIAA tournament next week against the second seed out of District 12, at a time and place to be determined.

Holy Ghost Prep 1, Bishop Shanahan 0

Bishop Shanahan 000 000 0-0

Holy Ghost Prep 001 000 x-1

2B-Stahl.

WP: Neeld. LP: Bertolami. SV: Strapoli.