Newark Catholic wins a classic, makes state

LANCASTER – For once in his 20 storied years as Newark Catholic head coach, John Cannizzaro admitted he was speechless Friday. But he'll be telling stories about this one for quite some time.

Hot-hotting Jack Wollenburg's two-out, RBI single in the 12th inning gave the Green Wave a memorable 5-4 Division IV regional championship win over top-ranked Berlin Hiland at Beavers Field. It came after the two perennial powers came out swinging and tied 4-4 after the first. Then, they battled for 10 consecutive scoreless innings before NC finally broke through.

"This is our sixth time against Hiland, and each time, win or lose, it seems to get a little more classic," said Cannizzaro, whose 20-11 team will play second-ranked Fort Recovery (25-5) at 4 p.m. Thursday at Huntington Park in the state semifinals. "I don't think anyone thought the first inning would go like that. Then the rest of the game went more like we thought it would."

As NC gathered in a celebratory huddle in the outfield, last to arrive on the scene was senior Zach Kent. Fittingly enough, he toted the regional trophy along with the Team Mojo mascot that has brought the team its share of luck. Kent pitched the final three innings to get the win, and also scored the winning run.

Rob Engle walked with one out in the 12th, but was forced at second on Kent's bunt. However, Kent promptly stole second, and Nick Halloy singled him to third. Wollenburg, 11-for-14 in his last three games, then blooped an RBI single to right.

"I've been working really hard with my dad and the coaches," said Wollenburg, who had two more hits in the win. "I've been seeing the ball pretty well. I was just trying to hit it hard, because it's tough to make a play in that situation. I felt comfortable up there. I felt good."

Cannizzaro noted that Kent had hardly been to the plate in 2015, but wound up scoring the winning run. "It must have been meant to be," Kent said. "I'm blessed. Nick and Jack did a good job moving me around. I was nervous leading up to the game, nervous during the game. Somehow, I was able to block it all out."

On the mound, Kent stranded a Hiland runner at second in the 11th, then took care of the Hawks 1-2-3 in the 12th. "Coach (Ed) Clark always tells us to "be a bulldog out there.' I try to think like that. It gives me confidence," Kent said.

"He gives teams a different look," Cannizzaro said. "He spots the ball, gets it where we want him to, doesn't try to strike people out."

Halloy had a two-run single in the first and Jody Mummey added an RBI hit as NC jumped ahead 4-0. But the Hawks (28-4), who had won 24 in a row, quickly countered when Mitch Massaro ripped a two-out, three-run double off Engle to tie it 4-4.

Engle settled down and pitched seven scoreless innings, with a little help from his friends. In the fourth, shortstop Tanner Lake threw a runner out at third, then made a diving catch in shallow left field to save a run. In the sixth, center fielder Mummey delivered a strike to the plate on Kendal Borntrager's single. Catcher Mitch Lohr blocked the plate and the runner missed it as he tried to slide around. Then, Lohr tagged him out.

Gabe Morris turned in a performance for the ages in relief. A leadoff triple in the ninth, and two intentional walks, loaded the bases with none out. But he struck out the next two hitters and induced an infield popup by the the third.

"Gabe hadn't pitched back-to-back all year, but man, he had some giddyup on the fastball, didn't he?" Cannizzaro said.

Halloy had three hits for NC, while Lake, Lohr and Wollenburg added two apiece.

dweidig@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @noz75