Persistence paying off for Trinity Catholic
Trailing South Shore Christian, 8-1, after two innings Friday, things looked bleak for Trinity Catholic. For a team that has missed the postseason in each of the last two seasons, making the game respectable could have been a moral victory. But senior captain Marc Leger, two days after pitching a complete game, approached coach Craig Genualdo and took charge.
"He told me to give him the ball," Genualdo said. "He came in and shut them down for three innings, allowing one hit. We came back and won, 13-12."
It's been that sort of year for Trinity Catholic, which has blazed to an 8-2 start and is one win away from qualifying for the state tournament for the first time in Genualdo's three seasons at the helm.
"In the past, those same kids might've been dead on the bench and not come back," Genualdo said. "Even at our lowest moment, it wasn't a matter of if we were going to come back. It was just a matter of how, when, and who was going to do it."
The Falcons finished 8-10 last season (5-7 in the Catholic Central League), but the seeds of success were evident. Trinity Catholic won four of its final five games, and Genualdo said that strong finish increased the Falcons' confidence heading into the offseason.
Leger and junior Mike Marchionda have anchored the pitching staff, the strength of the team. The Falcons posted a 2.43 ERA through the season's first nine games, recording 111 strikeouts against only 37 walks.
Marchionda has posted a 4-2 record, and has struck out 51 in 31 innings. He also sports a 2.93 ERA.
Genualdo said his pitchers' success comes from the lumps they took over the previous two seasons. Now, instead of trying to be too careful, the Falcons' hurlers are challenging opponents and aren't afraid to let the defense make plays behind them.
"They have trust in their teammates to make the play if the ball is hit," Genualdo said. "They can worry about throwing strikes, and the defense can worry about everything else."
Part of the improvement in defense comes from a change in the Falcons' practice routine. Genualdo and his coaching staff track fielding performance in practice, which has given players an extra incentive to remain alert, instead of going through the motions.
"We were charting batting practice and base running, and realized we weren't tracking defense," Genualdo said. "Now, instead of just throwing the ball back in to the pitcher, they're competing."
Also key has been the leadership the two senior captains, Leger and catcher Bobby Greenwood, who is batting .469 with a .575 on-base percentage.
"They've taken the bull by horns," Genualdo said. "From leadership standpoint, it's huge what they do for the team."
Genualdo said the Falcons' only goal is to make the playoffs.
"I have a poster on my wall from 'Apollo 13' with Tom Hanks's quote, 'We live in a world where man has walked on the moon. And it's not a miracle, we just decided to go,' " Genualdo said. "That's the way we feel about [making the playoffs]. It's not a miracle. We just decided to go."
Games to watch:
Monday - Malden Catholic at BC High, 4 p.m. The top two teams in the Catholic Conference square off in a rematch of last year's EMass final, which the Eagles won, 13-12.
Wednesday - Lawrence at Haverhill, 4:15 p.m. The red-hot Lancers, winner of six straight, head to Haverhill to take on a Merrimack Valley Conference rival.
Thursday - Reading at Melrose, 3:45 p.m. The Rockets will try to rebound after losing two of their last three.
Friday - Dartmouth at Bridgewater-Raynham, 4 p.m. B-R will seek to avenge its only defeat of the season, a 6-5 loss to the Indians April 14.
Saturday - North Reading at Georgetown, noon. The Hornets hold a one-game lead over the Royals for the top spot in the Cape Ann League's Division 2. 