Packer Collegiate got too close for Berkeley Carroll’s comfort.
The Pelicans scored twice in the top of the fourth inning to pull within two runs of Berkeley Carroll — after having won the first meeting by 11 runs. First-year Lions coach Luis Monell felt that got his players’ attention, and they didn’t let their borough rival hang around for long.
“Once they got a couple runs, it in kind of woke them up,” Monell said. “It got the bats going, starting being a little bit more aggressive on the bases.”
Berkeley Carroll scored five times on three hits in the bottom of the fourth to put the game away. It went on to win 11–5 in Athletic Conference of Independent Schools baseball at the College of Staten Island on Monday night. The Lions have now won three-straight games after losing three in a row.
“We are swinging the bats a little better, having more confidence in our swings,” said senior third baseman Chris Harper.
Packer could have made the game even more interesting early, but Lions starter Sara Tobias cut the rally short. The freshman and rare girl playing high school baseball stranded a runner on first and second with two outs in the fourth. She later induced a 1-2-3 double play to keep the bases loaded in the fifth and put Berkeley Carroll (8–3) ahead 10–4.
“I was just thinking through strikes,” Tobias said. “That’s what John [Allman] the catcher told me and we got it right back.”
She allowed four runs on eight hits and struck out two in five innings. Jack Simpson tossed the final two innings in relief allowing two runs on two hits. They’re the team’s number three and four pitchers behind ace Justin Pacheco and Harper.
Berkeley Carroll, which was aided by three Packer errors, gave its pitchers all the offense they needed in the fourth. Lions batters scored two runs on a throwing error and saw Solomon Canada and Christian Denis each provide RBI singles to help push the lead to 10–3 heading to the fifth.
Denis drove in two runs in the game. Harper scored three times. Allman had two RBI and Gil Ferguson went two-for-three with an RBI. Ben Guarna and Will Stewart each drove in runs for Packer (3–6–1).
Berkeley Carroll, which made three errors of its own, lost key pieces from last season’s team, including ace Ian Miller. But Monell brings plenty of experience with him. He pitched at St. John’s and was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 2008 before Tommy John Surgery cut his career short.
Monell won a Public School Athletic League title as an assistant coach at Norman Thomas. He was the head coach for one season in 2011 before going back to school to complete his Masters. Monell said his team, like Lions clubs in the past, is based on pitching and defense, and expects to compete for a private school state title. He has quickly gained the trust of his players.
“He’s a great coach,” Harper said. “It’s more of the mental side. He’s a great pitching coach.”
Monell has the team playing well again heading into the second half of its schedule. The getting-to-know-you period for everyone is certainly over.
“We understand how each other plays in the field now,” Tobias said. “Everyone understands who the personnel are. We are really coming together.”
