The firebirds shutout the Chaminade flyers 2-0 at Mitchell Feild pic.twitter.com/UytNg7G9dZ
— aXcess Baseball (@axcessbaseball) May 24, 2017
By Johnny Vaccaro
Pittsburgh-commit Chris Cappas did it all for the Kellenberg Firebirds at Mitchel Field in tonight’s 2-0 shutout over Chaminade in the CHSAA playoffs. He extended his scoreless innings streak to 25.1 IP in the process.
At the plate, he went 2 for 3 with a triple, an RBI, and 1 run scored. On the mound, he pitched 6.2 IP, allowing no runs on 5 hits, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. It was a stellar performance by the MLB Draft hopeful Cappas.
“I want it really bad,” he said in regards to wanting to repeat as CHSAA champs. “We won last year and we’re gonna repeat this year. It’s a great feeling and I want it again,” Cappas also mentioned how the Firebirds play as a unit, “We play as a team, we don’t play for individuals, and our team chemistry is going to help us win the chip.”
The scoring happened in the top of the fourth. With a runner already on second, Cappas stroked a triple to right-center field to put the Firebirds up 1-0. After that, Justin Renner came through clutch with a sac-fly to center field, putting the Firebirds up another run. This was the only scoring throughout the whole game.
Cappas recognized the Chaminade pitcher’s performance as well. He said, “The other pitcher did a great job, he shut us down most of the game, but we got that little bit of a lead and I just pitched with the lead.”
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Chaminade RHP, Sacred Heart-commit Matt Aufiero, went 5.1, giving up 6 hits, 2 earned runs, 3 walks and striking out 3. The game was tight, competitive and a classic pitching duel.
There was a scary moment in the seventh inning. With Chaminade batting, a ball was hit into left-center field and the Kellenberg outfielders collided. The center fielder, Justin Renner, and the left fielder, Terrance Murray, crashed and an ambulance had to be called. Renner was taken off the field on a cart and brought to the ambulance due to a facial contusion.
After the delay. Cappas got another out, and then was relived by the hard-throwing sophomore, Jason Diaz. The game ended on a hard line drive caught by Kellenberg’s first-basemen Nick Quatromani. It was a stellar performance by Chris Cappas once again who continued his dynamic season.
