Phil Anastasia: Eustace's joy is Casey at the mound
Bishop Eustace baseball coach Sam Tropiano says something special happens to his team when senior Kevin Casey takes the mound.
Bishop Eustace baseball coach Sam Tropiano says something special happens to his team when senior Kevin Casey takes the mound.
"When he's out there, we can compete with anybody," Tropiano said. "Our confidence level goes up."
Casey pitched a four-hitter with three strikeouts Friday as Bishop Eustace beat Sacred Heart, 13-0, in a Non-Public B sectional semifinal. He will be on the hill tomorrow when the Crusaders face St. Rose of Belmar in the South Jersey championship game at Mercer County Park.
Casey, a Cherry Hill resident who will attend Lafayette, leads Bishop Eustace (22-7) with a 9-1 record. He has 65 strikeouts and just 13 walks in 58 innings, with a 1.69 earned run average.
Question: What has this season been like?
Answer: It's been a roller-coaster ride. We started out on a high, then we hit a little bit of a rough patch. But we took it like men, and we've been playing a lot better lately. Hopefully, we can finish it off strong in the tournament.
Q: How about your play?
A: I've been happy. The main thing for me has been how we've played as a team. We've really jelled.
Q: Who is your favorite professional player?
A: My all-time favorite is Nomar Garciaparra. I mostly follow teams. I'm a big fan of the Phillies and the Red Sox.
Q: Why Lafayette?
A: I'm going to have an opportunity to play there. It's a great school with a great reputation.
Q: What's your favorite subject in school?
A: Calculus. I like trying to solve problems.
Q: What kind of music do you listen to?
A: Everything from rock to rap to country. I like to keep my options open.
Q: Which team do you play for in the summer?
A: I play with Pennsauken Legion and also with the South Jersey Young Guns.
Q: What's it been like at Bishop Eustace?
A: It's been a great experience. I came from a small school [Christ the King in Haddonfield] with, like, 25 kids in my class. When I got to Eustace, I met people from all over. Some of my best friends are 45 minutes away.
3 things about last week
1.
It was a tough day for South Jersey boys' lacrosse Friday as Cherokee (Group 4), Shawnee (Group 3), and Moorestown (Group 2) lost state-title games. But that all three made it that far in statewide tournament fields was a sign of big progress for the sport in this area.
2. Thumbs-up to Haddon Township baseball for winning the program's first sectional title since 1979 with a 10-0 victory Friday over Cinnaminson in Group 2. The hot-hitting Hawks scored 37 runs in three tournament games.
3. Millville's Mike Trout set the South Jersey record for home runs in a season with 17 by blasting a pair in a 17-7 victory over Bishop Eustace in Saturday's Grand Slam final.
3 things about this week
1.
The Moorestown girls' lacrosse team will chase an incredible 10th consecutive Tournament of Champions title starting with Tuesday's semifinal against Bridgewater-Raritan at Monmouth University.
2. The track-and-field season culminates with the Meet of Champions on Wednesday at South Plainfield. Look for Haddonfield's record-setting Marielle Hall to battle Michigan-bound Jillian Smith of Southern Regional in the 1,600.
3. Toms River is the place to be Saturday when state championships in baseball and softball will be held at the district's three high schools.
Super 7 Power Rankings
1.
Moorestown girls' lacrosse (23-1): Junior Katrina Martinelli has been terrific in the tournament.
2. Gloucester softball (27-1): Taylor Chain pitched a two-hitter in a 10-0 win over Pitman in the South Jersey final.
3. Moorestown tennis (23-3): The Quakers will reload next season behind juniors Brandon Greenwood and Mike Bass.
4. Timber Creek boys' track (5-0): The Chargers won their second consecutive Group 3 state title as Montez Blair earned his second consecutive state high-jump title.
5. Cherokee boys' lacrosse (19-2): The Chiefs won 19 in a row between a season-opening loss to Peddie and a state-final loss to Bridgewater-Raritan.
6. Cinnaminson boys' volleyball (27-4): The Pirates were the class of South Jersey.
7. Williamstown softball (22-2): Katie Trotter's three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the 11th on Friday in a 6-5 win over Toms River East was storybook stuff.
Under consideration: Cherokee baseball, Bishop Eustace baseball, St. Augustine boys' lacrosse, Shawnee girls' lacrosse, Lenape boys' tennis, Cherokee softball, Moorestown boys' lacrosse, Camden girls' track.