By Sam Carchidi
Inquirer Staff Writer
For Gloucester Catholic, it seems like an eternity.
\”It\’s been a while since we won one,\” said Dennis Barth, Gloucester Catholic\’s coach since 1993. \”It\’s the longest we\’ve gone since I\’ve been here.\”
The Rams have a difficult task. They will try to end a three-year drought – their longest span without a sectional title since a six-year period from 1987 to 1992 – when they meet talented Sacred Heart in tomorrow\’s 4 p.m. South Jersey Non-Public B final at Mercer County Park in West Windsor.
Junior righthander Mike Eliasen (5-3, 3.06 ERA) will pitch for fourth-seeded Gloucester Catholic (21-6), which is ranked No. 6 in South Jersey by The Inquirer. Second-seeded Sacred Heart (27-4) is ranked No. 2 and has won six straight since a 9-7 loss to Seneca in the Joe Hartmann Diamond Classic.
Sacred Heart coach John Triantos is undecided about his starter. He will choose between two pitchers: his son, lefthander J.T. Triantos (7-2, 2.36), or righthander Chris Fullam (8-1, 1.49). Lefty Sean Kennedy (4-0, 1.79) will be available in relief.
Gloucester Catholic, which won eight sectional titles from 1996 to 2003, is aiming for its first crown since 2003, while Sacred Heart is trying to capture its first title since it won three straight from 1998 to 2000.
Eliasen was the winner as Gloucester Catholic upset St. Rose of Belmar, 5-1, in the semifinals. The Rams defeated Anthony Ranaudo, who has committed to LSU and is expected to be a high pick in Thursday\’s draft.
Eliasen (.451), D.J. Robinson (.437), Matt Umba (.415), Drew Anusky (.400) and Bill Donovan (.400, 33 RBIs) are the Rams\’ offensive leaders.
Second baseman Josh Moren (.420, 29 SBs) and Triantos (.405, 5 HRs, 41 RBIs, 24 SBs) lead the attack for Sacred Heart, which lost hard-hitting third baseman Jon Schmidt (.386, 5 HRs) to a broken leg about a month ago. The Lions defeated defending state champion Bishop Eustace, 5-3, in the semifinals.
\”They\’re a scrappy team that runs and bunts and does all the little things,\” Barth said. \”They\’re tough kids who come to play.\”
Tomorrow\’s winner advances into Saturday\’s state final.
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