James McCool arrived at Red Hook Park Thursday afternoon figuring he’d be starting at third base for Xavier. But a few minutes after 3 p.m., less than an hour before the opener of the best-of-three third round CHSAA Class A intersectional qualifying series, Knights coach Rich Duffell walked over and asked McCool a surprising question.
“He asked me how my arm was,” McCool said.
Several seniors, including ace Rob Maguire, were late and Duffell benched them, opening the door for McCool.
The junior delivered in a big way, getting out of several jams and only allowing one earned run on seven hits in 5-2/3 innings. He didn’t get the win – Xavier rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh – but he was one of the Knights’ heroes in a dramatic 2-1 victory against defending CHSAA champion Fordham Prep.
“James did a great job not knowing he was going to pitch,” Duffell said. “Fantastic job. They had men on base every inning and we got out of it. We played real nice defense.”
As well as McCool pitched, the right-hander was shaping up to be the hard-luck loser after Kevin Brady broke a tense scoreless tie with a two-out RBI single to center in the sixth inning.
“I didn’t have my great stuff today, but the defense really helped me out,” McCool said. “I’m not really a strikeout pitcher. They played real good defense behind me and I got out of a couple of jams.”
Fordham Prep ace Joe Pareres was brilliant through six innings, giving up just four hits and striking out seven by using his superb curveball.
“We felt his fastball wasn’t there, but he was getting us out on the curveballs,” Duffell said. “He did a great job. That last inning we told our guys to jump on the fastball.”
And jump they did.
Brendan Cosgrove singled up the middle and Brian Flanagan, who started at short because senior Stephen Vorvolakos was benched, pushed a single under the glove of Fordham Prep shortstop Alex O’Neill. An error by center fielder Mike Maschi allowed both runners to advance and Xavier’s final-inning rally was in full swing.
Senior Dom Gatta followed with a pinch-hit sacrifice fly to center, tying the game at one.
“That’s his M.O.,” Duffell said. “He can drive the ball.”
Flanagan reached third on the off-target throw home and Nicky DiLeo was stepping to the plate with a chance to win the game for Xavier. Instead, Pareres uncorked a wild pitch that bounced off the plate and behind Fordham Prep catcher Elias Tsourisakis and Flanagan heeded his coach’s advice.
“If that ball’s in the dirt, you’re gone,” Flanagan was told.
Flanagan raced home and Pareres darted off the mound, but Flanagan beat the Rams senior to the plate as Xavier (13-6) celebrated a huge come-from-behind victory.
“Coach told me to take a big lead, a running lead to get in [Pareres’] head,” Flanagan said. “As soon as I saw the ball go in the dirt, I was gone.”
Duffell’s intended punishment could now be a huge advantage for Xavier, which will turn to the Sacred Heart-bound Maguire and his 0.55 earned run average to try and close out Fordham Prep (13-7), the defending CHSAA champions, Saturday at St. John’s University
“We’re confident with Robbie on the mound,” Flanagan said. “He’s always solid so we’re going to be behind him.”
