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St. Anthony found itself in a similar situation coming into Wednesday’s home game against Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary.
It’s the fourth time this season that the Saints entered a two-game Camino Real League series finale with a chance to sweep. They were 0-3 with brooms in hand, but a huge sixth inning finally carried St. Anthony to its first sweep of the season 4-2.
“Thank God,” sighed St. Anthony coach Moon Cordero. “It was great and I’m pleased with how they played today.”
The Cardinals’ ace pitcher Jackson Villagran also helped provide himself the lead by delivering the game’s first hit with two outs in the top of the first inning. Junior Andrew Armijo smacked an RBI triple to left field to plate Villagran. Brandon Contreras then scored Armijo on an RBI single to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.
The Saints were able to find immediate answers as Robby Shepard singled and then stole third before designated hitter Benny Lane stepped up to smack an RBI single to cut the lead in half. Senior Steven Mendoza followed Lane up with an early game-tying RBI double.
“I’m happy with the way we responded,” said Cordero. “We came right back and answered them in the first [inning]. We gave ourselves plenty of chances with runners on base.”
Cantwell was able to regain their lead in the top of the third after another RBI double from Armijo to score Adrian Reyes. Armijo finished the game an impressive 2-fpr-2 at the plate with two RBI, a double, a triple and an intentional walk.
St. Anthony had runners on in all but one inning but couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities. The Saints even put two runners in scoring position in the third and fourth innings before coming up empty handed.
“I tried to tell them that it’s not on one guy to hit a home run, we need quality at bat after quality at bat,” said Cordero. “Everybody just needs to do something positive at the plate. You can make outs and still have a quality at bat.”
With their backs against the wall the Saints finally found an answer in the sixth inning when Jason Glenn drew a walk. Singles by Shepard and Matthew Gath loaded the bases with two outs before Mendoza’s RBI single plated Glenn. Kyle Shisbey followed him up with another RBI single of his own to score Shepard and give his team their only and final lead of the game.
Shepard went 2-fpr-2 at the plate with two singles while drawing two intentional walks and stealing two bases. Mendoza also went 2-for-3 the plate with two total RBI, a single, a double, and a walk.
“It feels great to be that guy in that moment,” said Mendoza of his game-tying RBI. “Especially being a senior it feels good to go out there and hype up the guys when I hit and they follow right behind me.”
“He had a big hit yesterday and had a huge hit in our game last Friday to tie it up against St. Bernard,” added Cordero. “He’s been swinging it well and giving it good at bats. We’re happy with him.”
The Saints will enjoy their spring break before returning to league play with the first of two games against Cathedral on April 9th.
