Koneschusky surprises self with no-hitter

Rancocas Valley righthander Dan Koneschusky made a rather bold proclamation before pitching the first game of his senior season.

Koneschusky said he planned on pitching a complete game in Wednesday's opener at Winslow Township.

He stayed true to his word, lasting all seven innings in a 5-0 win, but even Koneschusky admitted to outdoing himself in that one as he threw the first no-hitter of his career on any level.

"I said before the game that I didn't expect to be taken out, but I didn't expect a no-hitter," said Koneschusky, who struck out five and walked five.

Koneschusky knew he had a no-hitter going, but tried to blot that out of his mind.

"I was aware of it, especially the last inning when it was raining," he said. "I tried not to think about it much and tried to throw strikes and had good defense behind me."

He needed to pitch his best because Rancocas Valley led by just 1-0 entering the seventh inning before breaking the game open with four runs.

Koneschusky, who was 6-2 last year, has not made a college decision, although he said that he is considering Burlington County College.

Comeback of the week. Moorestown Friends earned n inspiring win in Saturday's 21-19 victory in eight innings over Maple Shade in the consolation game of the Haddon Township Tournament.

After the first half-inning, Moorestown Friends found itself trailing, 10-0. It would have been easy to chalk it up to a bad day, but the Foxes kept scrapping, scoring seven runs in the bottom of the first.

"It was an amazing game," Moorestown Friends coach Ron Obermeier said. "Any ball hit to right field was a home run, and our guys knew they had a shot.

Senior centerfielder Ryan Solow went 4 for 6 with two home runs, seven RBIs, and five runs scored.

Drew Haines' two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the seventh tied the score, and Moorestown Friends got a winning three-run walk-off home run by Chris Elias in the next inning.

Senior Mike Stobbe, who had never pitched an inning of varsity action, threw six innings and got the win in relief.

"I needed arms, and he really came through," said Obermeier, whose team is 2-1. "Our guys were down all game and they never quit."

Trio to Iona. Three South Jersey players have made oral commitments to attend Iona: pitchers Ryan Martin of Cherry Hill East and Christian Rahman of Maple Shade and catcher Sean Menickella of Paul VI. All three were teammates on the Tri-State Arsenal AAU team.

Pitcher transfers. Chet Godfrey, a highly touted sophomore pitcher from Sacred Heart, transferred last week to Millville.

He is not likely to be eligible to play this season because of NJSIAA transfer laws, but the school plans to meet with the NJSIAA about his eligibility.

If a player does not move his residence, he must sit out for a year, but there is a chance for appeal.

"This is an eligibility issue between the state and the school," Millville coach Roy Hallenbeck said, declining further comment.

Rescheduled game. The showdown between Clearview and host Williamstown will be played May 6. The teams were rained out Wednesday; the game was rescheduled for Thursday, but the field was too wet to play.

New dates. The Collingswood Tournament, which was postponed because of wet grounds Saturday, has been rescheduled for April 25. Highland will meet Paul VI, and Bordentown faces Collingswood, with both games at 11 a.m. The winners will meet for the title.

Team Record

With last week's ranking in parentheses. Records are through Saturday.

1. Bishop Eustace (1) 1-0

Kevin Casey's one-hitter gave the Crusaders an opening 10-0 win over Eastern.

2. Millville (2) 2-0

Mike Trout had three hits in each win, including the 100th of his career in an opening 7-4 victory over Ocean City.

3. Gloucester Catholic (3) 1-0

The Rams had two games postponed - against No. 1 Bishop Eustace and No. 8 Cherry Hill East.

4. Seneca (4) 0-0

After being rained out against Pennsauken, the Golden Eagles open tomorrow at Cherry Hill West.

5. Lenape (5) 0-0

The Indians open tomorrow at Eastern.

6. Buena (NR) 2-0

The Chiefs have allowed a total of four runs in wins over St. Joseph and Washington Township.

7. Williamstown (7) 0-0

The Braves open today against Deptford.

8. Cherry Hill East (8) 1-0

The Cougars scored a 14-1 win over Pennsauken.

9. Sacred Heart (9) 1-0

The Lions opened with an 8-7 win in nine innings over Lower Cape May.

10. Delran (10) 1-0

The Bears have a key interdivisional game today at Northern Burlington.

Under consideration (listed alphabetically): Cherokee (1-0), Moorestown (1-0), St. Augustine (1-0), Shawnee (1-1).

- Marc Narducci
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