CHSAA baseball beat writer Dylan Butler breaks down Thursday night’s Class B championship game between St. John’s Prep and Monsignor Scanlan at Kaiser Stadium on the campus of St. John’s University.
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St. John’s Prep Red Storm
Head coach: Jason Bigeni
Record: 11-3
Probable starter: RHP Alex Gounaris, Jr.
Monsignor Scanlan Crusaders
Head coach: Kevin Del Valle
Record: 12-3
Probable starter: RHP Ussiel Reyes, Jr.
Outlook: St. John’s Prep doesn’t need Google maps or a GPS to find its way to Kaiser Stadium from Astoria.
The Red Storm have won back-to-back Class B intersectional titles at St. John’s University and will go for three in a row Thursday against a Monsignor Scanlan squad that is making its first appearance in the final since 1993.
St. John’s Prep doesn’t just have recent history on its side. It is undefeated in the double-elimination tournament, meaning Scanlan would need to beat the Johnnies twice to win the crown.
Of course, the Red Storm plan on putting the Crusaders away and will send junior right-hander Alex Gounaris, who already has a postseason win against Scanlan, to the hill.
Freshman third baseman Gabe Gonnel is red-hot at the plate while middle infielders Paul Perez and Will Quinonez, who bat at the top of the Red Storm lineup, have turned double plays in each of the last four games.
Senior Matt Mullin is the squad’s emotional leader at first base, while junior catcher Joe McDonald has a strong arm, which could neutralize Scanlan’s speed at the top of its lineup with center fielder Michael Grant and shortstop Omar Salas.
Scanlan booked its ticket to the final by beating Rice, 9-3, on Wednesday at Roberto Clemente State Park. Albert Fernandez had a pair of doubles and two RBIs and Benjamin Franqui struck out four and allowed three runs for the Crusaders against last year’s finalists.
“The boys have formed a bond from Day One that is tough to break,” Scanlan coach Kevin Del Valle said. “They play hard for their school, families and friends. There is something very special happening with this team and it’s fun to manage.”
Ussiel Reyes was on the mound Tuesday afternoon, pitching two innings against Rice before the semifinal was suspended because of rain, and he’ll be back on the hill Thursday night. The junior, who has allowed just four runs all season, will attempt to extend the Crusaders season two days longer.
“His poise on the mound keeps the team focused,” Del Valle said. “He is very exciting to watch.”