Fenwick baseball coach Dave Hogan and Riverside Brookfield coach Dan Monahan likely would classify the Friars’ 15-1 lopsided win over the Bulldogs at Ehlert Park on Friday as simply an aberration. Both skippers seemed to chalk it up as “just one of those days” during the rigors of a typical baseball season.
“The score was not indicative of what kind of team Riverside Brookfield has [this season],” Hogan insisted. “I’ve been on both ends of games like that one. We just hit the ball very well.”
The Friars exploded for nine runs during the first three innings, while the host Bulldogs struggled offensively to solve Fenwick lefty Dan Pullega. RB outfielder Pat Cullen, who has been on a hitting tear going 5-for-9 during a three-game span last week, knocked in the lone run for the Bulldogs.
“Fenwick was able to get at our starter [Tyler Gasaway] and they just hit the ball really well,” Monahan said. “We were flat with the bats. It’s been an up and down season for us so far.”
While RB’s mercurial play has produced a 3-4 record, the Friars (4-1) are off to a hot start ignited by splendid starting pitching, good team hitting and effective bench play.
“I like where we are right now,” Hogan said. “Our pitching is taking hold and we’ve been aggressive at the plate.”
On the mound, lefty Brian O’Connor (2-0) has anchored the staff. He threw a complete game with five strikeouts, surrendering only three hits and no walks during a 1-0 victory over Nazareth on Thursday. Brien Rooney drove in Fenwick’s only run of the game.
It was the second shutout win last week for the Friars, who also knocked off Proviso East 9-0 behind a collective one-hitter from hurlers Pullega, Pat Mulhern and Cam Verbeke. Dan Walsh smashed a three-run homer to spark the offense.
The only blemish for Fenwick was a sloppy 8-4 loss to St. Patrick. The Friars, uncharacteristically, committed six errors and left 15 runners on base.
Fenwick travels to Guerin Prep today (Wednesday, 4 p.m.) and hosts Maine South on Thursday (4:30 p.m.). The Friars will kick off their Spring Break Monday with a home game against Hales Franciscan (11 a.m.). They’ll also host Elmwood Park Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Dominican Priory.