Anthony Hajjar is a versatile performer for the Xaverian High School varsity baseball team, for he could pitch and see action in the outfield. And he is outstanding at both positions. In addition, he is only a junior.
Head Varsity Coach Dennis Canale put everything in his hands in the most important game of the season, against Staten Island’s Moore Catholic last Sunday night at a neutral site, St. John’s University.
All Hajjar did was yield one run and four hits, walk four and strike out seven batters on the mound and hit a three run double in a six run inning and drive home A.J. Passione in the third inning at the plate to lift the Clippers from Bay Ridge to a 7-1 victory and the city Catholic High Schools Athletic Association (CHSAA) championship.
The game marked Xaverian’s sixth such title, including the third since 2000, in the school’s history dating back to 1955.
“The city championship is so hard to come by,” Canale said after the game. “We beat a great team. I couldn’t have been any happier for the kids.”
“It’s great to win a championship,” Hajjar added.
Hajjar, a resident of Windsor Terrace, didn’t feel any pressure on the mound in going all the way – the complete seven innings. He threw strikes and let his defense make plays.
On the mound all of his pitches were working. He threw strikes and mixed his pitches up among the fast ball, curve ball and change-up.
“I think he’ll be a pitcher [for the future],” noted assistant and pitching coach Joe Tomasulo. “He’s 6 foot 1 and throws in the mid 80s. By the time he gets to college he’ll throw in the low 90s, at least. When you’re 6’1 and a right handed pitcher who has great stuff and with a command of four different pitches you still never know because…he’s a great hitter.”
Coming into the deciding game Tomasulo knew that Hajjar could have done more than turn in a decent performance.
“He pitched on a short rest and left his heart on the mound against Moore Catholic,” Tomasulo added.
While growing up, Hajjar always wanted to attend Xaverian. Last year while he was on the junior varsity team his squad also won its title crown.
“Getting back to a championship on the varsity level felt great,” the junior said. “I always tell myself, I want to be ‘the one’ with the game on the line. I knew I had my shot.” And he got that needed hit when it counted the most.
“If I didn’t at least I knew that I got my chance,” added Hajjar, who is the team’s third top hitter, batting around .370.
“He’s been one of our best hitters all year,” explained Canale. “And he kind of put the seal on the envelop. I can’t say enough about all of these kids.”
During the summer Hajjar along with the rest of the underclassmen will get ready for next season.
“And hopefully, we’ll win it again,” Hajjar summed up.
Overall, the student athlete played extremely well all during the season, including in the title game. And Hajjar pitched brilliantly.
“The kids worked hard and certainly deserved the championship,” Athletic Director Jeff O’Brien said. “In my eight years at Xaverian, this is my third championship with the baseball team.”
As AD, O’Brien had title winning teams in 2001and 2004, as well.
“It’s been a very exciting eight years so far,” O’Brien added. “I’m sure it’ll be exciting again in the future. Most of the players will be back next season and should again do extremely well.”
Xaverian posted a 22-2 overall record, including 16-1 during the regular season, 2-0 in seeding, and 4-1 in the playoffs.
“Our future looks very bright,” said assistant coach Mike Lopaparo.
Led by the pitching of Frank Catalano and Joe Fernandez, the junior varsity team won its city CHSAA title with a 4-3 decision over St. Joseph’s By The Sea of Staten Island. They won the game with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
