Owls girls find rough sledding vs. McCarrick

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But boys avenge Wardlaw loss

Howard Princz

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Three key starters were missing from the lineup when Highland Park took the field last Wednesday in a GMC Blue Division matchup against Cardinal McCarrick.

A Mother Seton runner beats H.P.'s Vikki Valenta to the bag. (file photo, Dan Dobalo)

Highland Park jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but the Eagles responded with 12 runs in two innings, posting a 12-1 victory over the Owls.

Senior center fielder Lexi Schickner led off the bottom of the first with a single to left and stole second. Senior catcher Dahlia Moyal stroked a single to left to score Schickner, before Cardinal McCarrick broke through with seven runs in the top of the second off Davana McCarthy. Candace Turner had a two-run double and Jen Shereyka tripled in a run in the frame to key the McCarrick rally. Amanda Bowsky collected two hits for the Eagles.

Highland Park was playing without its ace hurler Ilyssa Schwartz, second baseman Kaitlin Kovalchik, and right fielder Kristin Galayda. Jamie Williams of the Eagles tossed a two-hitter and struck out eight.

"The last time we played McCarrick we only lost 5-3. We've hit Williams before. We played even with them and a couple of errors cost us," said Highland Park head coach Lori Szentgyorgyi. "This is a new year for us moving to the Blue Division . . . It is all a matter of making adjustments and getting used to different competition out there. You have to get your mind set and focus together."

Despite a 3-4-1 mark at midseason, the team seems to be progressing. "Dahlia Moyal, Jasmin Robertson, Lexi Schickner and Ilyssa Schwartz are the captains that keep our team together. Lexi (Schickner) keeps the outfield in check. Our first baseman Jasmin (Robertson) is soft-spoken but knows what to say," said Szentgyorgyi.

The change of divisions could be the key to the team's run to make the state tournament. "Moving up to the Blue Division is important in preparing for the state tournament," says the coach. "It gives us a greater understanding."

CARDL. McCARRICK (5-1)	0	7	4	1	0	---	12
HIGHLAND PARK (3-4-1)	1	0	0	0	0	---	1

WP: CM, Williams
LP: HP, McCarthy.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This season has been a huge turnaround for the Highland Park Owls and first-year baseball coach Mark Blevins. One reason is the outstanding pitching of Ben Vietze.

The junior hurler turned in another sterling performance Thursday in a 6-3 comeback victory over Wardlaw-Hartridge, scattering five hits and fanning 14. Junior third baseman Patrick Ambrosio went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and sophomore catcher Angelo Odato went 2-for-3 with a double, triple, and the game-winning run.

Smart base running and strong pitching put the Owls on top vs. Wardlaw Hartridge (file photo, Jason Lockhart)

"This was a complete team effort," said Blevins. "Many different players stepped up. Tyler Vella had a big sacrifice, Reuben played very well defensively and Jason Potts has been hitting like a rock." The Rams took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. First baseman Ryan Iglesias cracked a triple to right and scored on a wild pitch. The Owls tied the score when junior shortstop Nick Baay walked, stole second, moved to third on a groundout to first and came home on a wild pitch.

Wardlaw scored twice in the top of the third to take a 3-1 lead before Vietze started to throw smoke, fanning six consecutive Ram hitters. In the fourth, the Owls cut the lead to 3-2 on consecutive doubles by Ambrosio and Odato. "Angelo (Odato) is our emotional leader," said Blevins.

Ambrosio singled to start the big bottom of the sixth. Odato smoked a triple to deep left, scoring Ambrosio and coming home himself on a wild throw to the Wardlaw catcher. Nick Nolan singled, then reached second on a sacrifice bunt by Tyler Vella; Andy Powell's (2-for-3) single moved Nolan to third, and a perfect suicide squeeze bunt by senior captain Reuben Kuchinsky scored Nolan to give the Owls a 5-3 lead. Baay (1-for-2, 2 walks, two stolen bases, run scored) grounded to short before a Wardlaw fielding error allowed Powell to score the final run of the rally.

Nagging injuries have been a part of the early going but the team moves along. "Jason (Potts) and Angelo (Odato) have each been playing well defensively, despite each dealing with a very deep bone bruise on their hands," said the coach. "They are playing through the pain and toughing it out."

The battery of Vietze and Odato is not anything to take for granted. This combination is the real deal.

"We've been friends for years. It is great to have a good friend behind the plate who you know, and knows what you want to throw," says Vietze.

It has been a long time coming but one thing is certain, Highland Park baseball is back on the map.

"We're looking to make some noise in the Gold Division and the state tournament," says Vietze. "It will get better as the season goes along. "We're looking to go to the top," Vietze added.

There are things to get done for this turnaround to be complete.

"As long as our defense plays well and Ben pitches the way he has been pitching, it will keep us in the game," said Blevins. "I'm pleased with the way we are playing . . . once we play with discipline and improve on the little things in both the outfield and the infield, then I will be happy."