Big Inning Helps Serra Catholic Unseat GCC for WPIAL Class A Gold

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, June 1, 2016 | 8:27 PM

The third time this season was the charm for the Serra Catholic Eagles (22-2). After dropping two decisions to the Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions (15-4) earlier in the year, the Eagles responded in a big way with five runs in the fourth inning to claim a 6-3 victory in the WPIAL Class A baseball championship game at Consol Energy Park on Wednesday night.

Serra Catholic’s Ben Davis pitched five innings of relief to pick up the win. Coach Brian Dzurenda said he had planned to use several pitchers in the game but decided to stick with Davis after Ben Visnesky pitched two scoreless innings to start. Dzurenda said Davis did a great job of changing his arm slot, keeping the Greensburg Central Catholic hitters off balance. Davis retired seven straight batters from innings four through six.

Greensburg Central Catholic had an opportunity to open the scoring in the second. However, after loading the bases, Harrison Boyle hit a one-hopper to the pitcher to end the inning. The Centurions were able to score in the  third inning, as Tommy Pellas pounded a shot to deep center field for an inside the park home run, giving the Centurions a 1-0 lead.

But Serra Catholic would answer by batting around in the fifth inning. Visnesky plated a run with a double, sophomore Zack Bowen followed just two batters later with a run-scoring single and Jason Cerniglia delivered the big shot with a two-run triple moments later. Noah Kinser squeezed Cerniglia home for a 5-1 lead after five innings. Jake Eged added a RBI single in the seventh, putting the Eagles just three outs away from claiming their third gold medal.

But Greensburg Central Catholic did not go quietly, as Neal McDermott delivered a two-run single to cut the lead in half. But Davis got Scott Riley to ground out to end the game and start the celebration.

The win is Serra Catholic’s first over Greensburg Central Catholic since 2010. The Eagles fell earlier this season 8-4 and 6-5 in 9 innings, blowing leads in both games. Dzurenda said his kids had a chip on their shoulders coming into the game. The veteran head coach added that he was so proud of this team and the hard work that the Eagles put in. Dzurenda said he was more relaxed this time around, he took the time to enjoy the moment and the kids really responded.

The Eagles will next meet District 6 runner up Portage on Monday in the first round of the PIAA Tournament.

Greensburg Central Catholic’s Zack Skatell was the only player on either side to have multiple hits. The Centurions will meet either Meyersdale or Southern Fulton on Monday.

Serra Catholic Eagles 0 – 0 – 0 – 5 – 0 – 0 – 1 =   6 – 7 – 1
Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions 0 – 0 – 1 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 2 = 3 – 5 – 0

Tags: Greensburg C.C.