GCC baseball getting used to close games

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 | 7:00 PM

Previous Next

Previous Next

Playing close games is nothing new for the Greensburg Central Catholic baseball team.

In fact, GCC coach Dennis Reist thinks his team thrives in those situations.

The Centurions (15-6) have posted two one-run victories since falling to Union in the WPIAL Class A semifinals, including Monday's 4-3 nail-bitter against DuBois Central Catholic in the opening round of the PIAA playoffs.

The thrilling win put GCC in the state quarterfinals against District 6 champion Homer-Center (20-1) at 4 p.m. Thursday at North Allegheny. Homer-Center rallied to defeat Union, 6-2, on Monday.

“We've gone through a lot this season,” Greensburg Central Catholic second baseman James Rice said. “We knew we were eventually going to hit.

“We made some really good plays in the field. Tom Voelker at third made an amazing diving catch and then picked one and made a great tag in the seventh inning. It was a big team win.”

Rice had a key two-run single against DuBois Central Catholic, and Paul Rice doubled in the four-run fifth inning.

Homer-Center's only loss this season was to Serra Catholic, 3-0 during the regular season. One pitcher the Centurions won't have to worry about is Nate Davis (8-0), who beat Union.

Mike Ginter, who is 4-0 with an ERA of 0.67, is expected get the start for the Wildcats.

Homer-Center is a strong hitting team. Corey Cavalier is batting .397 with 17 runs scored, 23 hits, nine doubles and 23 RBIs. Dakota Sunday his hitting .404 with 25 runs scored, 23 hits and 20 RBIs.

Davis leads the team with 26 hits and a .440 batting average. He has 19 RBIs. Jesse Lee is batting .413 with 26 hits and 18 RBIs, and Canyon Rankin is hitting .351 with 24 runs scored and 20 hits.

Homer-Center defeated St. Joseph's Catholic Academy, 4-3, in the District 6 title game.

“After the experience this team had last year when we lost some of those close ones, I think we know how to win those games now,” Reist said. “The senior experience is helping out.”

Antonio Cavallo, the winning pitcher Monday won't be available on the mound, so Reist will probably turn to Bruce Leonard, who earned the save, or James Rice. Rice pitched against Jeannette and earned the win.

“We just have to continue to play our game and hit them where they're not,” Reist said.

This is GCC's fourth consecutive trip to the PIAA playoffs. The Centurions made it to the semifinals last season before falling to Clarion, 1-0, at North Allegheny.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Greensburg C.C.