Baseball Team Sweeps Saint Joseph
May 5, 2008

The Saint Patrick Shamrocks swept a home and home series from the Chargers of St. Joseph last week.

In the first game, the Shamrocks got out to an early lead, scoring four runs in the second inning, two in the third, and three in the fifth, on their way to a 10-4 victory. Sophomore second baseman Jeremey Tirado led the Shamrock attack with four hits. Nick Trulis (three hits & three RBI), Kolt Imboden (two hits & three runs), and Danny Geraghty (two hits & two runs) provided the rest of the offense.

The next day the Shamrocks and Chargers hooked up in a much closer game. Saint Joseph led 3-1 in the sixth inning, but the Shamrocks, keyed by a two-run double by Geraghty, pushed three runs across in the bottom of the sixth for a 4-3 victory. Sophomore Kevin Nutley pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, before giving way to fellow sophomore Eric Jenkins. Jenkins allowed no runs or hits in an inning and two-thirds of relief to pick up the win. Tirado and Imboden each had two hits for Saint Patrick.

On Saturday the Shamrocks headed out to Lisle to take on the Redwings of Benet Academy. The Shamrocks jumped all over Benet, building a 9-0 third inning lead, but they were unable to hold the lead, committing nine errors en route to a 13-12 loss. Brian Konopka took the loss in relief, allowing five runs (four unearned) in two innings of work. Lenny Cunzalo had two hits, including a two-run home run, to lead the offense, while Tirado and D.J. Stern each contributed with a pair of hits. The second game of the scheduled doubleheader was rained out, and it will be made up on Thursday, May 8.

The Shamrocks face a tough slate of East Suburban Catholic Conference games this week, playing at St. Viator on Monday and hosting the Lions on Wednesday. Following the game at Benet on Thursday, the Shamrocks play a doubleheader against Nazareth Academy at College of DuPage on Saturday.