Gloucester Catholic routs Audubon to open its drive for a seventh Diamond Classic baseball championship
The Rams rapped six extra-base hits to back sophomore pitcher Anthony Solometo.
Luke Lesch knows how long it’s been since Gloucester Catholic last won the Joe Hartmann Diamond Classic.
“We weren’t even born,” Lesch said of the Rams’ title in 2001.
Gloucester Catholic, the No. 4 seed, took the first step toward capturing another crown on Saturday with a 10-0 victory over 13th-seeded Audubon at Joe Barth Field in Brooklawn.
Lesch, a senior first baseman, delivered a two-run double in a seven-run second inning, and his RBI single in the fifth inning ended the game under the mercy rule.
“These are going to be the four biggest games of our high school careers,” Lesch said of the prestigious tournament. “We want to win this thing so bad.”
Senior second baseman Tyler Cannon rapped two hits, knocking in two runs, and junior designated hitter Greg Iannelli contributed two doubles and scored two runs for Gloucester Catholic (10-3), which advanced to face the winner of Tuesday’s first-round game between 5th-seeded Eastern and 12th-seeded Mainland in the quarterfinals, Saturday at Deptford.
The semifinals also will be Saturday, with the title game set for May 15 at Eastern.
“We’ve got something to prove,” said sophomore left-hander Anthony Solometo, who worked a five-inning complete game, allowing two hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
Solometo said the Rams, the two-time reigning Non-Public B state champions, can answer critics of their postseason competition by winning the 46th version of the annual South Jersey tournament.
“People say we win state championships because of the level we play,” said Solometo, who mixed a live fastball with a sharp slider and effective changeup. He allowed just two singles -- an infield hit and an opposite-field blooper.
“He’ a young kid but, he can deal,” Lesch said of Solometo.
Gloucester Catholic broke the game open in the bottom of the second. The Rams sent 10 batters to the plate, rapped five extra-base hits, and took an 8-0 lead.
“Hitting is contagious with these guys,” Gloucester Catholic coach Adam Tussey said. “They are competitive with each other. That inning, that’s what this lineup is capable of.”
Gloucester Catholic is tied with Bishop Eustace for the most Diamond Classic titles with six. The Rams lost title games in 2016 and 2017 and dropped the tournament opener to rival St. Augustine last season.
“A 3-2 game,” Tussey said, shaking his head. “It’s good to be excited about something, and these guys are excited about this tournament.”
Lesch said the Rams are determined to end an 18-year wait to capture their seventh title.
“We want to win it for the school, for the coaches, for the alumni,” Lesch said. “It’s going to be the peak of our careers.”
Audubon 000 00 – 0 2 4
Gloucester Catholic 170 02 – 10 11 1
WP: Anthony Solometo. LP: Dustin Bellis.
2B: GC-Greg Iannelli 2, Tyler Shinn, Tyler Canon, Luke Lesch.
3B: GC-Justin Costanzo, Ryan Nutley.