Nick DiLeo said he felt fine during the day and he felt good during long toss. But when the junior left-hander went to the bullpen before Wednesday’s CHSAA Class AA game against Monsignor Farrell, Xavier’s ace wasn’t quite right.
The pain he’s felt in his left arm the last couple of days was back, but DiLeo hid that information from his coach. Instead, he told Rich Duffell he was good to go.
Big mistake.
“I tried to tough it out, but that didn’t work,” DiLeo said. “Coach is right. It’s a team game and if I don’t feel right, we’ve got someone else. I made the wrong choice.”
It was clear from the outset that DiLeo wasn’t right. He gave up four runs on four hits as Monsignor Farrell sent nine batters to the plate in the first inning en route to a 7-1 victory at the College of Staten Island.
Jerry D’Onofrio came out for the second inning and DiLeo moved to right field.
“I told him before the game to throw and let me know if it’s hurting you,” Duffell said. “He felt he could do it. He went out there in the first inning and felt he couldn’t do it once he started throwing hard. I told him it’s a team game, not an individual sport. He’s going to be fine.”
DiLeo last pitched on Friday, going the distance in a win against LaSalle. He said he threw about 97 pitches on the cold, raw day and felt fine as he left the field.
Xavier’s scheduled game against Salesian was postponed Tuesday and DiLeo thought the extra day’s rest would be beneficial.
“I came out for long toss and felt fine, but in the bullpen is when I started to get a little shaky,” DiLeo said. “I think I’m just tired. At least that’s what I hope it is.”
D’Onofrio did an admiral job in long relief, allowing three earned runs on five hits in five innings and James McCool pitched a scoreless seventh inning.
But Xavier (3-2), ranked No. 2 in the CHSAA by The Post, managed just four hits – including two infield singles – against Monsignor Farrell starter Connor Meehan, who went the distance for the victory.
While the Lions celebrated another victory, Xavier left CSI with its second consecutive loss and some questions about its ace.
“He should be fine,” Duffell said. “I don’t know why it’s hurting him. I don’t know what it is. Yes it’s a concern, but it’s not a big concern.”
