North Catholic survives Indiana scare for fifth WPIAL baseball championship
WASHINGTON, Pa. — Things did not look promising for North Catholic’s baseball team through three innings of Wednesday’s WPIAL Class 4A championship game against Indiana.
The Little Indians had tagged starting pitcher Tommy Schafale for five runs on eight hits, including towering home runs to left field in the third from Ben Ryan and Charlie Manzi, to build a 5-1 lead.
But the Trojan bats came to life and Schafale responded with four shutout innings to end the game in a 7-5 decision at Wild Things Park.
It is North’s fifth WPIAL baseball title and first since the Trojans claimed the Class 2A crown in 2018.
“I’ve been around baseball for a long time, but this is a game I’ll never forget,” said North coach Andy Przybylek.
The game was billed as a pitchers’ duel coming in. Schafale and Indiana starter Greg Minnick had faced each other earlier this year, a game won by the Trojans, and both allowed just two hits. Both teams had shut out two of their three playoff opponents prior to Wednesday.
“Then Indiana comes out today, scores one run in the first, one in the second and three in the third and I’m thinking, ‘Wow,’” said Przybylek.
North’s rally began in the bottom of the fourth. Minnick walked Josef Safar and Anthony Sewecke with one out and had both runners advance on a balk, but he was one out away from escaping the jam unscathed when a wild pitch allowed North’s second run to score.
Landon Eifler drove in another run with a base hit. Indiana (13-10) got out of the inning with no further damage, but the momentum had shifted.
Minnick was pulled after allowing a leadoff triple to Tommy Koroly in the fifth. His replacement, Ryan, lasted just one-third of an inning.
He allowed run-scoring singles to Ryan Shantz and Owen Beatrice and an RBI-double to Safar. The three-run inning gave the Trojans (17-4) a 6-5 lead they would not relinquish.
“We can hit the ball,” said Przybylek. “A lot of times, good pitching beats good hitting, but we have some big thumpers in our lineup.”
Safar included. The 6-foot-4 junior outfielder’s triple in the second inning led to North’s first run thanks to Sewecke’s run-scoring groundout.
“I faced (Minnick) before and you have to look for fastballs from him,” said Safar. “If he throws his curve or change-up, you can adjust, but if you’re not looking fastball, he’ll throw it by you.”
The run production was handed to Schafale, who weathered the early storm to emerge as the winning pitcher. He allowed just three combined base runners over the final four frames.
Przybylek said he did not have the urge to take Schafale off the mound.
“In every game I’ve given the ball to Tommy, he’s given it back to me at the end,” he said. “The kid is dependable and reliable. He’s never lost for me, so how do I take him out?”
Schafale said the location of his fastball improved during the course of the game, but his mindset proved just as valuable.
“I was dealing with some nerves at the start of the game, but settled in,” he said. “I always have confidence in myself and I trusted myself today.”
North added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth off reliever Ryan Okopal when Schafale walked, moved to second base on a fielder’s choice and to third on a throwing error. He scored on a sacrifice fly from Shantz.
Indiana coach Dan Petroff was unavailable for comment.
Indiana 113 000 0 — 5 11 2
North Catholic 010 231 x — 7 7 2
WP: Tommy Schafale 7 IP (1K, 0BB). LP: Ben Ryan 0.1 IP (1K, 0BB).
Indiana (13-10): Trevor Smith 2-1B R, Ben Ryan 3B HR, Hunter Martin 2-1B R RBI, Charlie Manzi 1B HR 2R 2RBI, Kadin Homer 1B 2B, Tim Birch 1B RBI
North Catholic (17-4): Tommy Koroly 3B R, Ryan Shantz 1B R 2RBI, Owen Beatrice 1B R RBI, Josef Safar 2B 3B 2R RBI, Landon Eifler 1B RBI
Tuesday: PIAA Class 4A first round, TBA
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