Saturday, April 28, 2001
Elder tops St. X, wins title share
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Elder's Graig Gates steals second in a cloud of dust.
(Brandi Stafford photos)
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Elder refused to give up when the Greater Catholic League South Division title was on the line.
In a showdown of top two teams in the Enquirer's Division I poll, the No. 2 Panthers overcame a 3-0 deficit, scoring two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings for a 6-4 victory that enabled them to share the title with No. 1 St.X.
“Quitting isn't what this team is all about,” said senior pitcher Matt McCloy, who went the distance for Elder. “I knew we'd come back and win the game.”
St. Xavier's Marty Mooney pitches with an Elder runner at third.
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Both teams finished GCL play with 9-3 records. St.X lost twice to Moeller; Elder fell to Purcell Marian, Badin and to the Bombers earlier in the season.
Catcher Keith Bolger came up with the game-winning hit for Elder, a two-RBI double in the sev enth inning off losing pitcher Marty Mooney.
“I'm a first-ball hitter if it's a fastball in the zone,” Bolger said. “That's the pitch I got today.”
Richie Jones led off the seventh with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brett Bolger. Graig Gates then drew a walk, which led to a successful double steal.
Elder's Justin Wendling after being hit by a pitch.
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“We like to be aggressive and make the opposing team come up with the play,” Elder coach Mark Thompson said. “I blew it against Alter on Monday. Richie led off with a triple, and I sent him home on a fly ball with no outs. He was nailed at the plate, and we lost 4-3.”
That loss to Alter and the one to Purcell Marian on Thursday in the completion of a suspended game denied Elder a chance to repeat as outright GCL South champion.
Thompson said McCloy and Jones were the keys Friday.
“Richie's our leader and the only team captain,” Thompson said. “I didn't say it to him, but I knew if he led off the seventh with a hit, we would score.”
McCloy gave up three runs in the first inning but allowed only one more, in the sixth.
Elder ....... 011 002 2—6 10 0
St. Xavier ....... 300 001 0—4 11 0
WP—McCloy. LP—Mooney. Hitting leaders: E—Jones 2-4; McCloy 2-4, 2B; K. Bolger 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI. SX—Prince 2-3, 2B; Mooney 2-3, 2B; Stone 2B, 3 RBI; Ellis 3-4. Records: SX 15-4, 9-3 GCL South; Elder 15-4, 9-3 GCL South.
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Elder tops St. X, wins title share