SJP Baseball Advances to State Tournament
Finishing the regular season with a league record of 7-5-0, Saint Joseph Prep clinched a tie for second place in the Catholic Central League and advanced to the MIAA State Tournament! The boys will play this Friday, June 2, at 2:45 PM versus CCL rival Cristo Rey at McConnell Park in Boston.
The Phoenix are a true team in every sense of the word. Battling injuries throughout the season, multiple players have had to step up, fielding several different positions. Andrew Cobuccio ’18, who leads the team with a .455 batting average, has spent time at infield, outfield, and on the mound. Meanwhile, seniors Raphael Hanna ’17, Jack Brooks ’17, and Ben Applegate ’17, each with a batting average well over .300, have helped power the Phoenix offense while also displaying versatility in the field.
Head coach Ed McDonald remarked, “The senior group we have here has really come together over the past couple seasons and has paved the way for our underclassmen. Our success this year shows how strong the leadership is on this team.”
Indeed, the 9th and 10th grade players have made a significant impact. Patrick Gulledge ’19 has delivered clutch game-winning hits, while Mark McCormick ’20 has made the most of his opportunity late in the season. “It’s awesome,” said Gulledge of the team’s success. “It’s what we’ve worked for all year. After only winning once last season... and now we’re playing in the Tournament, it’s a credit to the team’s hard work and commitment.”
On Friday, Sam Wright ’20, with a team-record 46 strikeouts for Saint Joseph Prep, will get the starting nod against Cristo Rey. “I think we can make a run,” he said. “Confidence is key, but if we do our jobs and play our roles, there’s no reason we can’t continue to win games.”
His coach agrees. “The team has really come a long way since our first practice in March. We’re looking forward to playing in a competitive game against Cristo Rey and hope to make a run in the tournament.”
Come cheer on Saint Joseph Prep’s Baseball team this Friday, June 2, at McConnell Park. First pitch is scheduled for 2:45 PM. Go Phoenix!
