Phil Anastasia: Non-Public baseball title game predictions

Here goes nothing:

St. Augustine vs. Paul VI at Rowan: I like the Hermits based on their pitching. Paul VI has been playing great, and the Eagles can hit with anybody. But St. Augusine gets a slight edge based on the strength of the guys on the mound, especially senior right-hander Matt Rakus. The Hermits also are coming off a big win over a Red Bank Catholic team that had won something like 22 in a row. Still, Paul VI is riding high after knocking off No. 1 seed Holy Spirit. Should be a great game.

Gloucester Catholic vs. Holy Cross at Overbrook: Rams are the best team in South Jersey. That's the truth. But Holy Cross has a puncher's chance for two reasons: Senior lefty Jeff Singer is ready to go because the Lancers' semifinal game against St. Rose was Thursday instead of Friday. Singer is a tough lefty and GC has a lots of left-handed bats in their lineup. The other thing that helps the Lancers is the throwing arm of senior catcher Mark Zagunis. GC loves to run but Zagunis -- who picked two guys off second against St. Rose -- will limit the Rams' ability to play small ball. Still, I like GC. They've been the best team since Day One, they have a deep, experienced pitching staff and they have the best lineup, 1 through 9, in the state.

-- Phil Anastasia