Baseball is truly a game of inches... The BI Cardinals gave it all they had until the bitter end, but it was just not meant to be - as the PVI Panthers defeated the Good Guys 4-3. 

The game began on Monday - with BI giving away 2 early runs, but rallied behind John Robertson's solid pitching.  The Cards scored 2 in the 4th when Luke Rabiej and Brian Lewis singled; followed by a Tommy Kiesner RBI single, and a CK Kraft RBI double.  

Frankie Zare led off the bottom of the 5th by reaching on an error; then manufactured a run by stealing second, and then third, before scoring the go-ahead run on a Rabiej RBI grounder.  BI had the "mo", the lead, #1 on the hill, and two innings to go...  In came rain and confusion...  Although the game was "in the books" - it was decided to "suspend" the game and be picked up in the top of the 6th on Wednesday...

Big difference - but even after PVI scored a run in each of the final two innings to take the lead, the Cardiac Cardinals just had to make it exciting in the bottom of the last.  Matt Welch led off by getting plunked.  Drew Lichtenberger followed with a great sacrifice bunt and reached first on a bad throw.  Rabiej followed with another "exciting" sacrifice bunt; putting the tying and winning runs in scoring position.  Brian Lewis then hit a scorching line drive to the left side that appeared to be the game winner - unfortunately the infield had just moved back from playing in and the line shot was snared for a game-ending DP...

The Bishop Ireton Cardinals were eliminated from the VA Independent School State Tournament by virtue of an 8-3 loss to St. Christopher's School on the Saint's home field.  

Although it seemed that the team's focus was distracted by the split day WCAC Championship game, the players pulled out to an early 2-0 lead.  BI Sophomore, Brian Lewis, showed Coach Mike Gallagher some of the talent that will lead next year's squad as he pitched 4 plus innings.  DJ Phillips provided another strong performance on the hill closing out the contest.

Matt Welch homered and singled, Luke Rabiej, Frankie Zare, and Phillips also contributed key hits as the Redbirds were proud to make their first appearance in the VISSA Tourney in many years.   

REACH WCAC FINALS SECOND CONSECUTIVE SEASON

Playing under the lights of Prince George County Stadium, home of the Bowie Baysox and just a fabulous baseball setting, the Bishop Ireton Cardinal Baseball squad dazzled the many fans in attendance by stunning the defending WCAC champion DeMatha 4-1, eliminating the Stags, and advancing the Redbirds to the WCAC Championship game for a second consecutive season.  The victory was sweet revenge for the Cardinals having lost to the Stags in last year's final.

This was a game that belonged to Dan Nicoll, BI's "Gunslinger" from the very start.  Nicoll, pitching with great determination and rhythm, shut down the formidable DeMatha lineup.  Nicoll mowed down 10 Stags and allowed only three measly singles and one walk going the distance and gaining his 8th victory of the season.  In fact, Nicoll took a no-no into the 6th inning until the Stags broke it up with a poorly handled bunt!

While Nicoll was in complete domination, he still needed some offense to win... and that firepower came from Matt Welch.  Gaining momentum early was vital to the Cards and it began with a game opening walk to Tommy Kiesner.  John Robertson also walked and with runners moving up on a CK Kraft bunt, the Stags nailed Kiesner at the plate on a Frankie Zare grounder.  Up stepped "Caveman" Welch, and out went the ball -- clubbing a double to deep rightcenter plating both Robertson and Zare.

The good guys made the lead stand up behind Nicoll's dazzling performance until the 6th, when the Stags pushed a run across making it 2-1 going into the final frame.  Although fans were confident in Nicoll's skills, insurance runs were in every fan's thoughts.  Up stepped Welch again bashing a single to start the inning.  Drew Lichtenberger's sac bunt set up an intentional pass to Luke Rabiej.  Dan O'Keefe's pinch-hit single loaded the bases, setting the table for DJ Phillips.  The BI Senior Outfielder lofted a sac fly that scored speedy pinch runner Kyle Brooks.  The Stags pitcher, who pitched a very fine game himself, then balked in the Cards 4th and final run.  

But the evening belonged to Nicoll and he finished in style by whiffing the final batter which sent the BI faithful into group hugs, high fives, and childish shrieks (oops, that was me!).  All that could heard from the players was Happy Mother's day!  

With experience being the deciding factor, the Bishop Ireton Cardinal Baseball team crawled back from a 4-0 deficit to defeat the Good Counsel Falcons 6-5 in a breathtaking single elimination WCAC Quarterfinal game on the Falcon's home field.  Although the Cards swept the season series, these two teams were very evenly matched; all three games decided by just one run.

It didn't look good early for the Good Guys, as for the first time this season, John Robertson struggled to find his "stuff".  But he battled through three plus innings to bridge the game to Ireton's other "ace" Dan Nicoll.  The Falcons pushed 4 runs across the board and were having so much much fun that the PA couldn't stop playing retro / party music without warnings from the umpire!  Little did they realize that the party hadn't yet started...

Vroom, Vroom, Party Starter, Drew Lichtenberger had other plans.  After Robertson took vengeance with his bat by leading off the 4th with one of his two hits on the day, Frankie Zare followed with a line drive single.  Lichtenberger then launched a long two run triple into the gap, changing the tide of the game.  With two outs, Dan Nicoll drove a double to the deepest part of the field bringing in Lichtenberger and gaining some valuable "mo" for the Redbirds.

After the Falcons pushed across an insurance run to make the score 5-3, Enter the Sandman...  reigning the helm of Mr. Clutch, Frankie Zare took over.  With two outs in the 5th, following a Brian Lewis plunk and Robertson single, Zare scorched a two run double to the gap to tie the score of 5.  Then in the top of the last, team sparklug CK Kraft singled, stole second, and moved to third on a Robertson rightside groundout.  This set the stage for Zare as he delivered a two-out, last inning single, for his third hit of the game and plating the go ahead run (sound familiar? ...'08 WCAC tourney?).  

Gunslinger Time!  For Nicoll it was just "give me the ball" time as he mowed down the heart of the Falcons order with two K's and a final weak rollout to first baseman "Party Starter" Lichtenberger and the real celebration began!  At that point there were no problems turning the music off... it was off to Never-Never Land! 

Coach Mike Gallagher's red hot Cardinals are off to the WCAC Semi-Final game on Sunday starting at 5 p.m. at Bowie Baysox Stadium.  Get off your tailfeathers and root for your BI Cardinals!!!

Playing their last regular season game in front of a surprising number of fans that made the pilgrimage to St. Mary's County, the Redbirds beat the St. Mary's Ryken Knights 10-5.  The victory was the second straight as the Cardinals jockey for positon for next week's WCAC tournament.

Dan "Gunslinger" Nicoll was at the helm and kept the Knights in check by going 5 1/3 innings, gaining his 6th victory of the season, and tying teammate John Robertson for the team lead.  Nicoll mowed down 10 via strikes and allowed only one run until the 6th, when he ran out of smoke.  Luke Rabiej came on to put out the fire and gain his first save of the season by retiring 5 straight, 3 via K's.

Rabiej starred at the plate as well by cracking two hits, including a long RBI double.  CK Kraft and Matt Welch also smacked a pair of hits apiece; while DJ Phillips crashed a double and Frankie Zare lined an RBI single.

Now that the Cardinals have a little mojo on their side, all that's left for Coach Mike Gallagher's squad is to find out out who / where they play on Thursday's quarter-final game. 

On "Senior Night", the BI Cardinals fought back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the DeMatha Stags in an awesome 8 inning contest.  

John Robertson, who has just about done it all for the Cards, had another dazzling performance on the mound.  Robertson went the full 8 innings, fanned 9 Stags, and allowed only 1 earned run and 7 hits.

The Stags broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the top of the 5th.  But the Good Guys immediately answered in the home half.  Dan Nicoll got the party started by lining a single.  Then with two outs, CK Kraft beat out an infield single and advanced to second on an errant throw, which scored Nicoll.  Robertson helped his own cause (have we said he does it all?) by bouncing a single up the middle to drive in Kraft.  Frankie Zare then lined a drive that pounded the rightfield fence for a triple, driving in Robertson, and tying the game.

After the 5th, Robertson just absolutely closed the door on the Stags by pitching to the minimum 9 batters over the final 3 innings.  He did, however, receive some help from catcher Matt Welch, who pulled the most improbable "cycle" in baseball.  Welch threw or tagged out runners at each base, i.e., picked off a runner at 1st, threw out runners attempting to steal 2nd and 3rd, and tagged out a runner trying to steal home!

The final rally began when Luke Rabiej pounded a double to right in the bottom of the 8th.  After Nicoll was intentionally passed (fear the "Gunslinger"), DJ Phillips scorched a single up the middle loading the bases.  Tommy Kiesner followed by hitting a, well a,  well... we really don't know what it was... What we do know is Rabiej slid across home with the winning run, ending the game, and setting off the victory fireworks!

At that point, the celebration began.  Seniors were proud to be part of a team that beat every WCAC team in the past two years, proud parents clamored joyfully at the buffet table, and everyone swayed to Taylor Swift music playing long into the night... Oh, what a night!

The Bishop O'Connell Knights dropped a 14-4 beating on the Cardinals on the Knights home field.  Matt Welch smacked a 2 run double for the Good Guys.

The Cardinals dropped a 12-6 contest to the Gonzaga Eagles.   John Robertson and Frankie Zare had two hits apiece, Dan O'Keefe rifled a triple, and DJ Phillips pitched a solid pair of innings.  

The two teams finished a game that began earlier in the week.  Today's game began in the bottom of the 5th with the score tied at one.  In the 6th, John Robertson doubled home CK Kraft.  But in the bottom half, the Huskies rallied for three for a 4-2 victory. 

The stands were packed and sun & food were baking yesterday at Four Mile Run as the BI Cardinal baseball team went 9 innings before dropping a 1-0 classic pitchers duel to PVI.

BI's starting pitching continues to be extraodinary.   This time it was John Robertson, "Mr. Consistency"" on the hill.  Robertson went 7 1/3 scoreless innings and fanned 7 Panthers.  Sophomore, Brian Lewis, took the tough loss.

Can't win if you can't score.  The only offense the Redbirds could muster was the 3 hits that CK Kraft provided.  Frankie Zare added 3 walks, but the Redbirds came up empty on a few scoring opportunities.  Got to make the most them, Gents!  Fans can sense that this offense is waiting to explode, just needs that spark...  Maybe it'll be from Matt Krause, whose booming voice in the PA booth even has opposing fans cheering!  Nice job Matt, got a bat?

While the St. John's Cadets topped the BI Cardinals 5-2 yesterday at Shirley Povich Field, BI  fans couldn't help but become optimistic after watching the return of Luke Rabiej.  Rabiej, BI Senior southpaw, went 5 strong innings, striking out 5, and displayed his full arsenal of pitches.  Additionally, Sophomore Brian Lewis pitched another solid inning -- now when the Redbirds get the offense in gear -- look out!  Once again the never-say-die Good Guys made a mad dash at the finish, but fell short on a last inning rally.  Matt Welch belted a double and Drew Lichtenberger reached base 3 times with a single, walk and an error.  

It took a little too long before the Cardinals arrived to play baseball, like about the 4th inning and already down 5-0.  The Cards scrambled back and had opportunities, but couldn't capitalize losing 7-4.  John Robertson was the offense stroking three hits.  No time to dwell, St. John's today at Shirley Povich Field (remember Shirley?).

The Bishop Ireton Baseball team spilt Saturday's twin bill by taming the McNamara Mustangs 5-2, then dropping the nightcap 13-3 to the South County Stallions.

Dan Nicoll took charge in the opener by going six innings, fanning 10, giving up just 1 run on 4 hits.  John Robertson banged two hits, Matt Welch clubbed an RBI double, and both players scored a pair of runs.

In the nightcap, while the fans were delighted to see Luke Rabiej return to the hill and CK Kraft going over the fence to rob a homer and slam a triple; the Good Guys didn't have it on the Stallion's field.  Where they did have it, however, was in the stands.  The fans lineup card looked similar to last years WCAC championship game with names like Boddie, Dupre, and O'Keefe filtering among the Cardinal faithful.  Despite the loss, Connie Dupre was named MVP of the game.

Behind a superb pitching performance by John Robertson, the BI Cardinals broke a two game losing skid by topping the St. Mary's Ryken Knights 6-3.

In front of a great turnout of brave (and very chilly) fans at Four Mile Run, Robertson went the distance, striking out a season high 12 Knights, while (all so important) walking none. The BI Senior notched his fourth victory helping the Good Guys run their record to 8-2.

Luke Rabiej, BI Senior, and Sophomore Brian Lewis led the offense by stroking two hits apiece and both players also reached on hard hit errors.  Rabiej's two jolts were doubles which drove in two runs.  Frankie Zare and Robertson each contributed singles and RBI's to aid the attack.

The BI Cards lost to the DeMatha Stags 8-3 yesterday at Riverdale Rec field.  Other than two pitches that accounted for seven runs, Dan Nicoll threw pretty well.  

Drew Lichtenberger, BI Senior, was the lone star at the plate by bashing three hits, including a double.  Each of Lichtenberger's hits drove in a run, which accounted for all of BI's runs.

Nothing "soaring" about the Eagles win over the Cards last night.  Both teams tried their hardest to cede the game to the other.  You can say in that contest, the Cards won.

Two of the few highlights were Tommy Kiesner's first home run and the way DJ Phillips played in centerfield.  Lessons learned?

In yet another thrilling game to the end, the BI Cardinals came from behind and scored 5 unanswered runs to beat St. John's at Four Mile Run.  The Cards rallied behind an amazing effort on the mound by Dan Nicoll.  Nicoll, who struggled thru the first inning by giving up three runs, settled down and went the distance to gain the win. 

The Cards rallied behind a pair of hits by CK Kraft, a poke by John Robertson, and some loose play in the field by the Plebes.  After the Redbirds scored three in the bottom of the 6th to take the lead, Nicoll was not to be denied in the final frame mowing Cadets down.  What a performance!

The BI Cardinals streaked to their sixth straight with an exciting 2-1 triumph over Pope Paul VI on PVI's field.  BI fans have become accustomed to Coach Mike Gallagher's well-coached squad that relies on the "old school" formula of solid pitching, defense, and timely hitting to win games.  This contest was no different...

This time on the bump was rock-steady John Robertson.  Robertson gave a yeoman's effort in gaining the win, gritting out 5 2/3 innings, allowing only one unearned run on 5 hits, and whiffing 6 Panthers.  After Robertson gave all he had, Gallagher brought on BI's gunslinger, Dan Nicoll, to squash a late rally.  Nicoll, however, ran into his own problems in the last frame when PVI placed runners on 2nd and 3rd with only one out, before Nicoll promptly fanned the final two batters.

The offense made the most of four hits.  Leading off the 2nd, Matt "Big Diesel" Welch blasted a solo home run high and far into the night to give the Cards a 1-0 lead.  Frankie Zare led off the 4th with a single, stole second, and scored on a clutch two-out double laced by Senior, Drew Lichtenberger.  Zare also stroked an earlier double to account for all of the Redbirds attack.

The thrilling victory (did I mention 3 in a row over PVI?) left BI fans high fivin', hugging, and yes -- even singing leaving the ballpark!

Behind the versatile CK Kraft, the BI Cardinals topped the Episcopal Maroon 6-2 in a key VISBA battle.  BI has now opened the '09 season with a remarkable 5-0 record.  Although the game was played at Episcopal, the fans were all Ireton.  Cardinal fever is catching on...

Kraft started the game on the mound for the first time this season and gave the Redbirds just what they needed by pitching 5 innings, allowing only two hits, and striking out four.  Tommy Kiesner pitched the final two frames and earned the save. 

Kiesner played a big part of the offense as well by bashing a double and triple, driving in a pair of runs.  Frankie Zare smacked two hits and drove in three, while Kyle Brooks also had a pair of hits and scored three runs.  By the way, who was that big diesel chugging home in the last inning?

Tommy Kiesner's two-out, bases loaded walk-off single gave the BI Cardinals a dramatic 2-1 victory at Four Mile Run. 

The Cards scored first when CK Kraft singled, raced to third on a Frankie Zare single, and scored on a John Robertson sacrifice fly.  The Falcons tied the score in the 5th on a pair of Cardinal errors.

Dan Nicoll shut down the Falcons by pitching six strong innings and fanning five.  John Robertson came on to pitch the last inning to notch the win.

The BI Cardinal baseball team continued its fine start by stopping the Bishop McNamara Mustangs 13-3 in 5 innings due to the mercy rule.  The game was the WCAC opener for both clubs and the victory brings the Cards to a 3-0 overall record.

The Redbirds lashed out 11 hits; paced by Matt Welch's 2-run bomb to center and Drew Lichtenberger's long 3-run double.  CK Kraft aided the cause with three hits.

Dan Nicoll and Tommy Kiesner split the duties on the mound by shutting down the Mustangs, while Michael Barber made a highlight film diving catch in left.

The BI Cardinal baseball team drummed the Mt. Vernon Majors by an 8-6 score at Four Mile Run.  The Cards, off to its best start in over 5 years, won this see-saw battle behind the strong pitching of John Robertson and an offense led by the bat of Frankie Zare.

Robertson pitched a complete game.  None of the runs allowed were earned.  The usually reliable BI defense lapsed for moments during this contest, but Robertson battled his way through this game with a gutty performance.

The offense pounded 10 hits, led by BI Senior, Frankie Zare.  Zare belted three hits - a single, double, and triple; falling a clout away from a cycle.  Robertson helped himself with two hits, as did Matt Welch.  Dan Nicoll and Luke Rabiej added clutch RBI singles late in the contest to help the Redbirds regain the lead.  CK Kraft punched in a single and added 2 RBI's.

The BI Cardinals opened the 2009 campaign with a 3-1 victory in a nail-biting, pitchers duel over cross-town rival St. Stephens in an early, but important, VISBA battle at Four Mile Run Park.  

The Cards were led by the brilliant pitching of BI Senior, Dan Nicoll.  Earning the win, Nicoll twirled 6 strong innings, fanned 8 and allowed only two hits and one unearned run.

BI scored first when John Robertson, who had a several key roles in the win, opened the inning with a single, stole second, moved to 3rd on a rightside textbook grounder by Matt Welch, and scored on a Nicoll smash.

SSSA tied the game in the 5th on an infield error with bases loaded and 2 outs, but a fine throw to home by Drew Lichtenberger nailed the trail runner keeping the game tied.

The Redbirds broke the tie in the 6th.  After CK Kraft singled and Tommy Kiesner walked, the pair stole bases and scored on a Robertson hard grounder that turned into a two base error.

But SSSA wasn't done.  The Saints placed runners in scoring position with 2 outs in the final frame.  But Robertson, earning the Save, enticed the hitter into a weak grounder which ended the game on a close play at first.

VARSITY                 JV

Mike Gallagher           Ron Kerstetter

Vondell Johnson         Stan Carter

Ricardo Castillo          Marshal Larkey

Bobby Opsut

Frank Vanderhors

MIKE GALLAGHER named WCAC "Coach of the Year" 
Zare, Kraft, Nicoll and Others Receive All-WCAC Honors

In his first year as BI Baseball's Head Varsity Coach, Mike Gallagher has been named WCAC "Coach of the Year".  Coach Gallagher is largely responsible for the success and turn around of this year's baseball program. 

Congratulations Coach Gallagher - quite an accomplishment! 

Bishop Ireton WCAC All Conference Selections: 
Mike Gallagher, Coach of the Year
Frankie Zare, Second Base, Junior (2nd Team)
CK Kraft, Outfield, Junior (3rd Team)
Daniel Nicoll, Pitcher, Junior (3rd Team)
Eddie Boddie, Shortstop, Senior (Honorable Mention)
Tyler Dupre, Outfield, Senior (Honorable Mention)
Kevin O'Keefe, First Base, Senior (Honorable Mention)
Luke Rabiej, Pitcher, Junior (Honorable Mention)
John Robertson, Third Base, Junior (Honorable Mention)
Matt Welch, Catcher, Junior (Honorable Mention)

Congratulations to all!!!

2008 -- WHAT A SEASON!!!

KEVIN O'KEEFE -- ALL-MET Honorable Mention!

• Kevin will attend & play baseball for Moravian College.

WCAC Championship Game (Runner-up)

• 1st time in school history

WCAC COACH OF THE YEAR

• Michael Gallagher (1st year @ BI) 

THREE WCAC ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS

• Frankie Zare, CK Kraft, and Dan Nicoll (all Juniors)

13 WINS

• Tripled the number of conference wins
• Doubled the number of total wins from last year
• 2 wins over a nationally ranked and #1 team in VA!

AND MORE...

• Kevin O'Keefe's pitching performance in 1st game vs. PVI ranked the 2nd biggest sports performance - Spring of '08 (DC Sports Fan)
• Tyler Dupre named Alexandria Baseball Player of the Year for the 2nd consecutive Year ('07 & '08).
• Bishop  Ireton polled as the "surprise spring sports team of the year" (DC Sports Fan).

One final WHO-RAH to our College-bound Seniors:

• Eddie Boddie - East Carolina
• Tyler Dupre - Virginia Tech
• Darin Gravallese - Old Dominion
• Matt Haberman - Clemson
• Kevin O'Keefe - Moravian
• Ed Pastorino - South Carolina

Congratulations Fella's -- a job well done!!!

In Bishop Ireton's first-ever WCAC Baseball Championship Game appearance, the Cardinals struggled to get it going and fell to the DeMatha Stags 11-3. The many Ireton fans that correctly disregarded the weatherman were treated to a tight ballgame until the Stags broke it open with a 7 run 6th inning.  Congratulations to the DeMatha baseball team - well done.

BI Junior, Dan Nicoll, pitched a strong 5+ innings, striking out four batters along the way.  Tyler Dupre, Cardinal Senior, smashed two singles, but the good-guys fell one game short of a WCAC Championship in this magical season...

PLENTY to be proud of -- great job fella's!

If you had any doubt, you'd better start believing - because the Bishop Ireton Cardinals certainly believe in themselves.  Those Cardiac Cardinals were at it again on Tuesday evening.  Down 2-1 entering the last inning, the Redbirds found another way to win, eliminating #1 seed PVI 3-2 in a thrilling WCAC Semifinal game on Shirley Povich Field.

With all the markings of a true "team", BI's heroics are shared by a different player each game.  This time it was Frankie Zare, who step up large as Mr. Clutch with a two-out tie-breaking single in the final frame.  But he was far from alone...Offense wins games, defense wins championships. 

There was Kevin O'Keefe giving it his all on the mound, holding the powerful PVI lineup down for 5 innings.  O'Keefe was followed by John Robertson, who for the second straight day shut down the opponent for the final two innings, this time pitching out of two jams.

You want defense?  Flashing some leather, Ireton played an error free game.  Eddie Boddie snaring a line drive and turning it into a doubleplay may have been prettier, but his juggling, tumbling throwing out a runner at 3rd in the bottom of the last couldn't have been more important to final outcome.  Boddie also started BI's rally with a walk and scored the tying run.

How 'bout Tommy Kiesner?   ...coming off the bench, the Sophomore made two ESPN highlight plays at third while working in a critical walk in the last inning rally.  Forget someone?  No doubt... but don't worry, "you gotta believe" those players will be the stars of the next game.

Just when things looked bleak, the Bishop Ireton Cardiac Cardinal Baseball team pulled off another stunner.  Down by two runs in the last inning of a WCAC Quarterfinal Playoff game, a 3 run homer by Kevin O'Keefe guided the Cardinals to a 6-5 upset win over 4th seeded Bishop O'Connell on the Knights home field.  The Cardinals now have the honor of playing the WCAC Semifinal Playoff game on historic Shirley Povich Field against PVI @ 8:00 p.m.

Yesterday's see-saw contest was an example of teams that match-up just perfectly. These two rivals played three exciting games this season.  All three contests were one run games eventually decided in the final inning.  This time Ireton drew first blood.  In the 2nd, Eddie Boddie singled, moved to second on a Darin Gravallese walk, stole third, and raced home on a Matt Welch sacrifice fly.

After O'Connell answered with two runs in the bottom of the 2nd, the Redbirds grabbed back the lead by striking for a pair of runs in the 4th.  Boddie was hit by a pitch and scampered home on a Welch double to deep center.  On the next pitch, Dan Nicoll sailed a ball over the rightfield wall for a quirky ground rule double scoring Welch.

O'Connell battled back off BI starter Luke Rabiej, scoring 3 more runs in the bottom of the inning taking a 5-3 lead.  Controversy took a run and a rally from the good-guys in the top of the 6th and the outlook appeared worse in the bottom of that inning.  The Knights placed their first two hitters on 2nd & 3rd with no outs.  John Robertson was called on to pitch BI out of a jam and in turn grabbed some of the heroics.  Robertson retired the first hitter on a grounder to a drawn in infield holding the runners in place. He then proceeded to mow down the last two batters via strike outs and get the mo' back on the side of the good-guys. 

Down 5-3 in the last, Frankie Zare got the rally started by battling for a lead-off walk.  Tyler Dupre shot a screamer past the 3rd baseman for a two base error.  Then, O'Keefe thrilled the many old and new Ireton faithful in attendance on hand with a mammoth blast over the rightfield wall giving the Cards their final lead.

However, fans on both sides recognized that this game wasn't over just yet... and with one out in the bottom of the last, with the tying runner on first and the winning run at the plate, Robertson coaxed the batter into another 4-6-3 (Zare / Boddie / O'Keefe) doubleplay that had BI fans everywhere jumping for joy.

MORE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS BY MR. G.!

On a gorgeous Spring Day and playing on the brilliantly refurbished Four Mile Run Field, the Bishop Ireton Cardinals celebrated "Senior Day" in perfect style as the, who else, BI Seniors came through to stop St. Mary Ryken Knights 14-4.  The win claimed 5th place for the charging Cardinals who have been victorious in 3 of the last 4 games. 

All six BI Seniors contributed to the win.  Darin Gravallese led the way by smacking two hits including a triple, and drove in 4 runs.  Tyler Dupre dished out a pair of hits and pair of RBI's, while Kevin O'Keefe and Eddie Boddie both slapped a hit and contributed 2 RBI's each.  This day belonged to all Seniors as Matt Haberman amazed the many Ireton faithful in attendance with two dazzling catches in centerfield, while Ed Pastorino, to delight of the chanting crowd, ended the game with a walk-off single.

Not to be outdone, a pair of BI Juniors stepped forward ready to take the reigns.  Just when the well appeared empty, CK Kraft came through with a powerful pitching performance.  Kraft went the distance, struck out 5 Knights, and slapped 3 hits to help his own cause.  Frankie Zare went 3 for 3 and pounded the rightfield wall with a 2 run double.  After the game the players, parents, and fans celebrated at the field coordinated by the tireless efforts of Mrs. K and a great team of parents.      

Senior Day Video Highlights:

http://www.vimeo.com/975170

The Bishop O'Connell Knights defeated the Ireton Cardinals 4-3 in a tight contest on Friday evening.  The loss dropped Ireton to 7th place and left the Cards with a must win on Saturday in a battle with two other teams for 5th place in the WCAC.

Ireton took an early 1-0 lead until O'Connell struck for 3 in the 3rd.  The Cards crawled back tied the game with solo runs in the 4th, on Kevin O'Keefe's double, and 5th, when CK Kraft stole home.  But the Knights answered with a run in the top of the last.  BI Senior, Darin Gravallese, led off the bottom of the last with a walk and quickly stole second, but eventually died on third ending the heartbreaker.

John Robertson was outstanding on the bump for the Redbirds. Robertson went 4 full innings, fanned 6, and surrendered only one run.  

The DeMatha Stags bested Bishop Ireton's Cardinals 10-0 yesterday on the Stags home field.  Cardinal Sophomore, Tommy Kiesner pitched well in relief for the Redbirds. 

With two huge games remaining, the Cards are within a game or two in the battle for WCAC top half (and home field) honors.  

By way of a heart stopping last inning rally, the Bishop Ireton Cardinals won another thriller defeating the Gonzaga Eagles 4-3 on Gonzaga's home field and sweeping the season series.

Luke Rabiej was on the hill for the good guys and has really come on when it counts.  The Junior Lefty went the distance, fanned 8, while walking only 2.  Rabiej dominated the game except for the 3rd inning when Gonzaga accounted for all of their runs.

The last inning rally began with one out and the Cards down 3-1.  John Robertson slashed a single, his second hit of the day, and Darin Gravallese followed with a walk.  Matt Welch siezed the moment by whacking an RBI single up the middle.  Gravallese easily beat the relay throw to 3rd, but as Welch hustled to second, the cut off throw sailed into the outfield scoring Gravallese with the tying run and sending Welch to 3rd. 

Dan Nicoll then became Mr. Clutch by driving in the go ahead run sending a sacrifice fly to centerfield and a confident celebration began. Rabiej retired the next three Eagles in order and Ireton pulled off another stunning victory.  The win brings the Redbirds overall record to 10-10 and further tightens up the race in the middle of the WCAC standings.

MORE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS BY MR. G.!

In perhaps the biggest upset victory in school history, the Bishop Ireton Cardinals defeated PVI; the previously unbeaten (21-0), #1 in the state / area, and #6 team in the nation (USA Today); in a 6-4 thriller on PVI’s home field.

BI Senior, Kevin O’Keefe wore the hero’s crown by carrying much of the load himself.   The Cards took an early 2-0 lead when O’Keefe blasted a triple to the right center gap plating Tyler Dupre who reached after being hit by a pitch.  O’Keefe scored easily when the relay throw sailed into PVI’s dugout.  Then, after BI's starter ran into some wildness in the 1^st, O’Keefe came on to pitch with the bases loaded, one out, and the score at 2-1.  O’Keefe got BI out of the jam by striking out the next batter, his first of 8 K’s, and getting the next batter to pop out.

The score held until the top of 3^rd, when Dan Nicoll got the party started with the plate appearance of the game.  Battling a full count, Nicoll fouled off 6 consecutive pitched before drawing a lead-off walk.  CK Kraft followed with a single and, after the runners moved up, Dupre came through with a clutch two run single.  O’Keefe followed with another hit before Eddie Boddie’s single and John Robertson’s grounder plated two more runs giving BI a comfortable 6-1 lead.

PVI struck back with single runs in the 3^rd, 4^th, and 6^th to send the game into the bottom of the last at 6-4 in favor of the good guys.   With one out, a PVI batter ripped a single sending the clean-up hitter to the plate representing the tying run.  But O’Keefe coaxed the slugger into a game ending 6-4-3 doubleplay driving the players and fans into an instant frenzy (see video below)!

Matt Welch and Frankie Zare (bat and field) also contributed for the Redbirds in this huge win.  Not much time to celebrate, however, as BI enters the final week of the regular season with four critical games – but with plenty of mo’ on their side.

SEE GREAT VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS (thanks Mr. G):

The Play -  http://www.vimeo.com/948749

The St. John's Cadets defeated the Ireton Cardinals 8-0 at Four Mile Run.  The Redbirds couldn't muster any offense until CK Kraft slapped a two-out 6th inning single.  Luke Rabiej was superb in relief for the Cards.  The BI Junior lefty completed the game on the bump by going 4 2/3 innings while allowing only two runs.

 The Ireton Cardinals began the second half of WCAC play with some mo’ completing a season sweep of the Bishop McNamara Mustangs.  BI cruised to 12-2 triumph in a 6 inning mercy shortened game played on the Mustang corral. 

CK Kraft followed up his previous game’s heroics by blasting a lead-off homer over the left field fence and gave the good guys a lead they never relinquished.  John Robertson pitched 5 strong innings, allowing only 3 hits while fanning four.  Tommy Kiesner pitched a hitless final frame, whiffing two. 

In a true team effort, Eddie Boddie, Kevin O’Keefe, Tyler Dupre, and Frankie Zare each drove in 2 runs.  The team bashed 14 hits -- O’Keefe had three hits (including a double), while three others had two hits -- Kraft, Dupre and Zare (including a long triple).  BI Senior, Ed Pastorino capped the offensive onslaught by smashing a single and stealing a base. 

The win places the Redbirds in a 5^th place tie with next opponent, Good Counsel and a mere ½ game out of 3^rd place in this season's well-balanced WCAC standings.

Losing consecutive heartbreaking one run games, the Bishop Ireton Cardinals were involved in another nail biter yesterday at St. Mary’s Ryken.  BI fans crowded the centerfield bleachers of the picturesque Leonardtown field and were treated to a fabulous pitching duel and a thrilling 4-1 nine inning victory.  

Allowing only a solo run in the 1^st inning, Ireton Junior flamethrower, Dan Nicoll, shut down the Knights for 8 innings allowing only six hits.  Nicoll kept the Cardinals in the entire game by striking out 11, tying a team season high, and walking only three.    

Down 1-0 in the sixth, Tyler Dupre, a BI Senior, led off with a booming triple to rightfield and scored on a John Roberston single.  With the scored knotted, the Knights rallied with two runners aboard in both the 6^th and 7^th.  However, some classy glove work in each inning by Robertson and Frankie Zare kept the Cards in the game. 

The good guys finally broke the game open in the top of the 9^th, when Sophomore Tommy Kiesner led off by slapping a single and advanced to 2^nd on Darin Gravallese’s textbook sacrifice bunt.  BI Junior, CK Kraft then grab the heroics crown by slashing an RBI single to left scoring Kiesner.  Kraft advanced on the throw and scored on a single by Zare.  Dupre followed with a double and Eddie Boddie's bases loaded walk accounted for BI’s final run. 

Dupre smacked three hits – a homer shy of a cycle.  Kraft and Zare had two hits apiece, while Kraft made an acrobatic catch on the famed Ryken centerfield hill adding to his heroics.  The win, BI’s 7^th, topped last year’s total and brought the Cards back into the middle of the WCAC standings at the halfway mark.  The victory also made that long voyage home much more enjoyable.

The Bishop Ireton Cardinals lost their second straight heartbreaking one run game in as many days, as the DeMatha Stags held on for a 2-1 victory at Four Mile Run.

BI Junior southpaw, Luke Rabiej pitched an outstanding game.  Rabiej went the distance, striking out a season high 11, while allowing only 6 hits.  The never-say-die Redbirds down 2-0 early, rallied in the bottom of the last.  After a Kevin O'Keefe walk and a John Robertson single, Matt Welch laced a one out single to center that made it 2-1.  But the rally ended with the tying and winning runners in scoring position -- so close... just a bloop or a blast away.

Scoring the winning run in the bottom of the last inning, the Bishop O'Connell Knights slipped past the Ireton Cardinals 3-2 on the Knights homefield.

In what turned out to be a great pitching duel, the Cardinals Senior starter, Kevin O'Keefe turned in a fabulous performance, pitching the entire game only to take the defeat.  

Although the Cards rallied several times, they just couldn't break through with a big run inning.  Darin Gravallese singled home the first  run giving the good guys an early lead.  After the Knights pushed across two runs for the lead, Tyler Dupre stole home to tie the score, before the Knights answered in the last.   

Playing the Gonzaga Eagles has provided many highs & lows for the BI Cardinals.  Suffering two crushing late inning defeats to the Eagles last season, the Cardinals were looking to reverse fortunes at Four Mile Run yesterday.    

Those highs & lows continued as the Eagles ambushed Cardinal Junior starter, Dan Nicoll, for 5 runs in the top of the 2^nd.  Typically this rivalry never ends early and 1^st year Coach Mike Gallagher wisely sorted to “small ball” to get his squad back in the game.  In the home half of the 2^nd, Eddie Boddie singled and John Robertson walked, Matt Welch laid down a sacrifice bunt, and RBI grounders by Luke Rabiej and Tommy Kiesner got BI back into the game.  The Redbirds pushed another run in the 3^rd when Frankie Zare blasted a leadoff double, advanced to third on Tyler Dupre’s right side groundout, and scored on Kevin O’Keefe’s sac fly to center.  The Cards added one in the 4^th on a clutch 2 out single by Kiesner and took the lead in the 5^th when Welch walloped a 2 run double.  Meanwhile, Nicoll kept BI in the game by mowing down the Eagles the following 3 innings, facing the minimum 9 batters.   

The Bishop Ireton Cardinals put up a battle, just not quite long enough.  The Cards were down 5-2 to the Cadets, before giving up 5 late runs enroute to a 10-2 defeat.

The Good Counsel Falcons cooled the hot BI Cardinal bats, winning 7-2 win on the Falcons field.  The Cardinals hit the ball hard at times, but to Good Counsel's credit, the Falcons were able to make the plays.  

Kevin O'Keefe pitched 5+ strong innings, but took the loss.  CK Kraft had two hits including a double. A 4 run rally by the Good Counsel in the bottom of the 6th sealed the victory.

The Bishop Ireton Cardinals opened WCAC play in "grand" fashion as your favorite Redbirds rode away with a 10-4 victory over the Mustangs of Bishop McNamara. 

Bishop Ireton completed its participation in the HIT Tourney by playing a consolation doubleheader.  BI dropped the first game 6-5 to St. Raymond's (NY) and tied the second game 9-9 (game called due to time limit).

In the opener, Matt Welch belted a homer and pitched a couple of strong innings, but St. Ray's came from behind to nip the good guys.  John Robertson pitched four solid innings striking out 8 along the way.  Tommy Kiesner and Frankie Zare smacked two hits apiece.

In the nightcap, CK Kraft and Eddie Boddie split time on the mound, Kevin O'Keefe pounded three hits, and Tyler Dupre scorched a 2 run triple, but the Cards couldn't stop a final rally to end in a tie - resulting in a tourney split for BI 2-2-1.

The players will have fond memories of great baseball mixed with interesting stories from "A to Z", i.e., Applebees to Zaxby's (with a lil' Piggly Wiggly). 

***CARDS TURN TABLES***

Ireton's third game of the HIT Tourney was looking bad.  The squad from Greenville, TN, had the Cardinals down 3-0 almost before fans were comfortably in their seats.  But behind Kevin O'Keefe's gutty masterpiece on the mound, the Cards staged a comeback scoring 9 unanswered runs and took a 9-3 victory. 

O'Keefe kept the huge Greenville team off balance, fanned 7, and pitched a magnificent complete game.  The Redbirds gained confidence as the game progressed and chipped away with runs in 4 of the last 5 frames, led by the hot bats of Matt Welch and Eddie Boddie.      

***CARDINALS BOUNCE BACK***

Behind the masterful pitching of Luke Rabiej, Bishop Ireton Cardinals won their first game of the HIT Tourney whipping Edisto 11-1, in a 5 inning mercy rule contest.  Rabiej went the distance, K'd five, and gave up only four hits. 

Meanwhile, the Cardinals feasted on Edisto pitching.  Tyler Dupre opened the scoring with a 3 run bomb in the first inning.  Eddie Boddie smacked 3 hits, Frankie Zare drove in three runs with a double and single, and CK Kraft's line single ended the contest in the 5th.

***IRETON OPENS HIT TOURNEY WITH A LOSS***

Bishop Ireton's baseball team lost the 1st game of the HIT tourney in Charleston, SC; bowing to bracket host Berkeley by a score of 12-5. 

Berkeley outslugged the good guys with three two-out rallies and a pair of homers.  Kevin O'Keefe held BI's hot bat with three hits, while Tyler Dupre and John Robertson each knocked in a pair of runs.

On a blustery first day of Spring, the Bishop Ireton Cardinals won their second straight 5 innning mercy rule contest by defeating the Gar-Field Indians 18-6 on Gar-Field's turf in Woodbridge.

Ireton was led by 3 innings of solid pitching by Kevn O'Keefe.  O'Keefe allowed 1 hit and fanned 4 Indians.  The Cardinals offense pounded 16 hits and was led by Tyler Dupre.  Dupre had his second consecutive 3 hit - 4 RBI game, which included a triple. 

The team now faces more difficult challenges as they travel to Charleston, SC, to particpate in the HIT tourney before returning home to begin WCAC play.

The Bishop Ireton Cardinals were flying high in their "unofficial" home opener at Simpson Field.  The Cardinals vanquished the Seton School 21-0 in a 4 1/2 inning mercy rule contest.  The win marked Mike Gallagher's first as BI Baseball Head Coach - Congratulations Coach Gallagher!

The game opened inauspiciously as Cardinal starting pitcher, Luke Rabiej, walked the bases loaded with one out.  But Rabiej quickly found his groove and proceeded to mow down the next consecutive 11 batters completing a dominant day on the mound.  John Robertson closed the game on the hill by striking out the side before allowing a scratch single.

Offensively, Ireton took command in the bottom of the first.  After CK Kraft singled and scored on an error, the Cards jammed the bases and Darin Gravallese drove a two-out triple to center, then quickly scored on a wild pitch.  Gravallese later added an RBI single matching the team high 4 RBI's that teammate Tyler Dupre also delivered by clubbing three hits.

The Cards scored first in the 4th, when Frankie Zare reached on an infield single, went to third on an errant pick-off attempt, and scored on Kevin O'Keefe's sacrifice fly to right.  The Saints answered in the 5th when a two out double plated the tying run.

Eddie Boddie flew solo for the Cardinal offense slapping a pair of singles.  Boddie's second hit came leading off the last inning and began a final rally.  Boddie stole 2nd base and advanced to 3rd on a grounder by John Robertson.  But the rally died there when the Saints ace shut down the Cards, completing his own pitching gem, and closed a clean, well played baseball game by both squads.   

http://washingtoncollegesports.com/

It was a busy week in Bishop Ireton High School Varsity Baseball as the Cardinals played four games in five days.

Tuesday: Eagles Eek by Cards
The Cardinals dropped a 7-6 heartbreaker to the Gonzaga Eagles at Hamilton Field in Washington, D.C. In the top of the first Kevin O’Keefe laced an RBI double scoring Eddie Boddie, who was on with the first of his three hits to get the good guys off to a quick start. However, the Eagles got off to an even better start with 4 runs in the bottom of the inning before CK Kraft settled in his groove. After the first, CK masterfully shut down the Eagles before giving way to fellow sophomore, Daniel Nicoll, to start the 6th. While pitching kept the Cardinals in the game, their bats, which had been dormant thus far, came alive. In the 6th, the Cards mounted a comeback as O’Keefe stroked another RBI hit and Frankie Zare followed with a RBI single to make the score 4-3. One out later Darin Gravallese slapped a single in the hole between third and short to load the bases but a nice hop to short stop on the next batter prevented a big Ireton inning. While Nicoll shut down the Eagles in the 6th, the Cards staged a furious rally in the top of the last. With two out and the bases jammed, Zare walked tying the game and Nicoll followed with a single driving in two runs making the score 6-4 entering the bottom of the last. But the Eagles were not to be denied. A bad hop single and a very close play at first on the back end of a double play set the stage for an Eagles rally. With one out from victory, the Cards made a costly error to allow the tying run to score and then misplayed an infield single to allow the Eagles to squeak to victory. This game should help the Cardinals recognize that they can compete with every team in the WCAC. This young team has a chance to turn the season around if they can learn to close out victories in close contests.

Thursday: Cards Nipped Again
Each game so far this season; the Bishop Ireton Cardinals baseball team has battled and found themselves in a dogfight. Playing at DeMatha yesterday was no exception. The young Cardinal squad held a 6-5 lead going into the bottom of the 6th, only to give up two runs to the Stags and lose yet another close, but very exciting contest. BI got rolling early as Frankie Zare tripled over the rightfielder’s head to drive in two runs in the first. DeMatha answered with two in the bottom of the inning before Kevin O’Keefe settled in on the mound. O’Keefe was strong and challenged the Stags all afternoon providing the Cards with a great opportunity for a victory. That opportunity opened when red-hot Eddie Boddie doubled and scored on a Tyler Dupre single; Dupre then worked his way around the bases and scored on a passed ball. BI extended the lead when Darin Gravallese scorched a triple to the gap in rightcenter to drive in another pair of runs.

But the Stags stayed close by scoring two runs in the 4th, one in the 5th, and entered the 6th down by a run. A lead-off triple, a single, a two-base error, and a fielders choice provided DeMatha with a lead they never relinquished. John Beckmann made his season debut pitching in relief following the triple and, although unlucky with the turn of events, appeared strong and in mid-season form. Regardless of the early season record, the Cards are proving to themselves (and others) that they are truly just a step away from becoming a top-tier club. Those Ireton bats are heating up and Eddie Boddie is leading the way with his second straight 3 hit game. Dupre and Zare also had 3 hits; Dupre also had an outstanding defensive game behind the dish and threw a runner out.

Friday: Cardinals Excite Fans with Sudden Victory in Home Opener

Playing in their home opener against defending WCAC Champion Good Counsel Falcons, the Cardinals came back twice from 3-run deficits to tie the score before walking off with a sudden death victory in the bottom of the 8^th inning. With one out, Eddie Boddie smashed the winning hit over the Falcons center fielder’s head driving in CK Kraft who had walked and stolen second. The dramatic ending sent the crowd into a frenzy as Ireton players charged from the dugout to celebrate the big 8-7 victory. This game exemplified what Ireton has hinted towards while they opened the season with 5 straight road games.  Featuring a young and talented team, the Cardinals had played tough teams in tight games on the road.  At home, Bishop Ireton’s four talented junior starters led the way with strong pitching and 9 hits while four talented sophomores filled in the rest, resulting in a season high 8 runs and 13 hits.

Junior pitcher Darin Gravallese held Good Counsel in check and kept his team in the game by managing the longest outing of the season by a Cardinals starting pitcher. He worked into the 7^th inning, allowing only 4 earned runs with 3 strike outs and also picked 3 runners off first base with fellow juniors Kevin O’Keefe and Boddie completing the relay and tag.  Junior catcher Tyler Dupre’ also worked with Darin on a well executed pitch out–throw them out play in the 5^th to stem a rally. Gravallese helped himself with the bat too, driving in the first Cardinals’ run in the 2^nd inning with a long triple into the right field corner scoring sophomore Frankie Zare who has led off the inning with a line single. Boddie made a great play in the short stop hole and was hot at the plate with three hits including 2 doubles and 2 RBI while Dupre also had three hits including a double and 2 RBI and O’Keefe added 2 more hits, continuing their hot sprees. Sophomores CK Kraft (2 walks, 1 single, 2 runs), Daniel Nicoll (2 RBI on sacrifice fly and ground out), John Robertson (1 hit, 1 RBI) also contributed to the offensive output and senior Alan Lichtenberger launched the longest drive of the game off of the fence in left field for a double in the 2^nd inning. Kraft closed it out on the hill, blanking the Falcons on one hit over the final 1 2/3 innings, setting the stage for the final tense moments. Then it all culminates with the sound of the ball taking off, spectators rising and beginning to shout, the sight of the ball sailing over the outfielder, louder shouts and screams, players jumping for joy. Game over – Cardinals win! Whew. There’s nothing more exciting than 1-run baseball games on great spring days and the Cardinals played 3 in 4 days against top flight WCAC teams.  The future is bright and the present is in flight. 

Saturday: Cardinals Fall in Final Inning, Again

As in every game so far this season it was another tightly contested match up for 6 innings. As in many previous games, when it got into the latter innings, when pitching changes are usually made, the Cardinals faltered and the Knights of O’Connell took full advantage in their last at bat. Leading 5-4, entering the final inning, the normally sure handed Cardinals infield fell apart. Let’s just say there were more errors in this inning than in about 3 other games and the Knights scored more runs (10) than the Cardinals had given up in any previous game. The Cards fell behind 4-0 in top of the second but were not fazed. They roared right back to tie the game for the third time in two days after trailing by 3 or more runs. Darin Gravallese got things going with a sharp single to center, John Robertson grounded one up the middle, and Alan Lichtenberg reached on an error to load the bases. Then CK Kraft scored Gravallese with a sacrifice fly and Eddie Boddie drove in 2 runs with a lined single into the left-centerfield gap. Tyler Dupre smashed an infield hit off the pitchers leg and Kevin O’Keefe drove in the 4^th run with a ground single beyond the Knights’ diving second baseman. Meanwhile sophomore starting pitcher Daniel Nicoll was in charge on the hill in his first start. He kept the game close by holding the Knights to those 4 runs through 6 innings. He struck out 3 batters before running into the trouble in the 7^th when the infield breakdowns began. Along the way Ireton made a few nice defensive plays. Nicoll picked a runner off first with O’Keefe relaying to Boddie for the tag at 2^nd. Robertson made a nice running catch in right field and Gravallese nailed a runner at 3^rd base from left-centerfield. Iretons’ only other run came in the 5^th inning when O’Keefe singled, moved to 3^rd on Nicoll’s single, and then stole home while Nicoll got into an intentional run down between 1^st and 2^nd base. The only Cards’ hit after that was Dupre’s ground single up the middle in the 7^th.  No time to fret. St. Johns is on deck, Monday at Four Mile Park in Alexandria, Virginia at 3:30 PM.  This is an exciting young team that has been right there in every game against the WCAC’s best. There getting hot, so...  get out there and join the fun!  

Friday 3/30/07: Cardinals 8 - Falcons 7

Playing in their home opener against defending WCAC Champion Good Counsel Falcons, the Cardinals came back twice from 3-run deficits to tie the score before walking off with a sudden death victory in the bottom of the 8^th inning. With one out, Eddie Boddie smashed the winning hit over the Falcons center fielder’s head driving in CK Kraft who had walked and stolen second. The dramatic ending sent the crowd into a frenzy as Ireton players charged from the dugout to celebrate the big 8-7 victory. This game exemplified what Ireton has hinted towards while they opened the season with 5 straight road games.  Featuring a young and talented team, the Cardinals had played tough teams in tight games on the road.  At home, Bishop Ireton’s four talented junior starters led the way with strong pitching and 9 hits while four talented sophomores filled in the rest, resulting in a season high 8 runs and 13 hits.

Junior pitcher Darin Gravallese held Good Counsel in check and kept his team in the game by managing the longest outing of the season by a Cardinals starting pitcher. He worked into the 7^th inning, allowing only 4 earned runs with 3 strike outs and also picked 3 runners off first base with fellow juniors Kevin O’Keefe and Boddie completing the relay and tag.  Junior catcher Tyler Dupre’ also worked with Darin on a well executed pitch out–throw them out play in the 5^th to stem a rally. Gravallese helped himself with the bat too, driving in the first Cardinals’ run in the 2^nd inning with a long triple into the right field corner scoring sophomore Frankie Zare who has led off the inning with a line single. Boddie made a great play in the short stop hole and was hot at the plate with three hits including 2 doubles and 2 RBI while Dupre also had three hits including a double and 2 RBI and O’Keefe added 2 more hits, continuing their hot sprees. Sophomores CK Kraft (2 walks, 1 single, 2 runs), Daniel Nicoll (2 RBI on sacrifice fly and ground out), John Robertson (1 hit, 1 RBI) also contributed to the offensive output and senior Alan Lichtenberger launched the longest drive of the game off of the fence in left field for a double in the 2^nd inning. Kraft closed it out on the hill, blanking the Falcons on one hit over the final 1 2/3 innings, setting the stage for the final tense moments. Then it all culminates with the sound of the ball taking off, spectators rising and beginning to shout, the sight of the ball sailing over the outfielder, louder shouts and screams, players jumping for joy. Game over – Cardinals win! Whew.

There’s nothing more exciting than 1-run baseball games on great spring days and the Cardinals played 3 in 4 days against top flight WCAC teams.  The future is bright and the present is in flight.  You won’t want to miss the fun at home on Saturday, March 31st against O’Connell and Monday, April 2^nd against St. Johns at Four Mile Park in Alexandria.