Bonner downs Ryan in Catholic League quarterfinal
SOME GUYS are way too liberal with their use of the word neighbor. Sorry, a half-mile away doesn’t qualify. And then there’s Ronnie Scull. When he mentions that Frank Saviski, a baseball teammate at Monsignor Bonner High, is a neighbor, he’s as serious as a 90-mph fastball under the chin.
SOME GUYS are way too liberal with their use of the word neighbor. Sorry, a half-mile away doesn't qualify.
And then there's Ronnie Scull. When he mentions that Frank Saviski, a baseball teammate at Monsignor Bonner High, is a neighbor, he's as serious as a 90-mph fastball under the chin.
"He lives right across the street from me," Scull said. "I met him when I was 5 years old. I walked out of my house. He walked out of his. We sat down by the sewer and had a talk, and we've been best friends ever since."
Their houses are on Spring Valley Way in Aston, Delaware County, and Tuesday those senior righthanders combined to hurl the Friars past visiting Archbishop Ryan, 5-3, in a Catholic League quarterfinal.
Scull worked six innings, officially, and departed after serving singles to Ryan's first two batters in the seventh. Gage Galeone greeted Saviski, previously stationed at third base, with a single that wound up producing two runs, rather than one, because of to an outfield bobble. He retired the next three batters and wrapped things up with a whiff.
"I had my count on both of those hitters. Had two strikes on them," Scull said. "I threw sliders up both times. I wasn't sure if coach [Joe DeBarberie] was going to come out because I'd gotten out of jams before. When he did, I didn't say anything [in protest].
"When you leave the mound and the game's in jeopardy, it's nice to know you don't have to worry. You're know you're going to get the win. Frank's been a great closer."
Great mudder, too. Scull and Saviski, it turns out, own trucks. Ronnie's is a '95 Ford Bronco. Frank's is an '08 GMC Sierra.
"We do a lot of off-road mudding," Scull said. "We like to go behind Garnet Valley High School. We try to drive through the mud. We've never gotten stuck. Last weekend, though, Frank almost did. He got a little panicky. I've got the lead on him."
Relying on a hopping fastball and biting slider, the 6-foot, 215-pound Scull, who's bound for West Chester, struck out 10 and walked two, while allowing six hits. Only one of Ryan's runs was earned.
Bonner pulled away from a 1-1 tie with four runs in the sixth against Ryan's starter, Chris Elmes, and reliever Zach Zajac. Jim Haley opened the uprising with a single, then Rich Tecco and Saviski drew walks. Jack Liberatore collected an RBI on a too-late throw off a fielder's choice, then Joe Haley got another run with a misplayed chopper. Runs Nos. 3 and 4 of the frame were rung up on a wild pitch/error combo.
Saviski went 2-for-2 with a run scored.
"I've always been a little better than Frank at pitching," Scull said. "And he's been better at me as a position player."
In other quarterfinals
La Salle 6, St. Joseph's Prep 0: Senior righthander Kevin Long, who's bound for Lehigh, spun a one-hitter with two walks and five strikeouts. The lone safety came in the fourth as Jawan McAllister beat out an along-the-line dribbler maybe 50 feet toward third baseman Mike Piscopo. In the fifth, Long was hit on the foot by Sean Connolly's liner. He recovered to get the out. Corey Baiada and Colin Pyne halved two doubles, four RBI.
Carroll 4, Lansdale 3: Eric McGough, a junior righthander, became only the fourth pitcher to record as many as 14 strikeouts in a CL playoff. The record is 16, by Carroll's Keith Conway in 1991. McGough also allowed six hits and three walks. Justin Roman went 3-for-3, with one RBI, and Joe DiWilliams provided a 4-2 lead with a suicide squeeze. Lansdale's Pat Duggan posted two RBI. n
Contact Ted Silary at silaryt@phillynews.com.
