The562’s coverage of St. Anthony athletics is sponsored by Jane & B.I. Mais, Class of 1948.
Looking for a final tune-up before the playoffs begin, the St. Anthony baseball team defeated Oxford Academy 7-3 on Monday.
The Saints’ bats came alive as they rallied after trailing 3-2 to top the Patriots.
“They’re a good well-coached team,” Saints coach Kris Jondle said. “They do a lot of their little things really well. As you can see, by picking us off twice and another time or two.”
The Saints (17-8) got after it with two outs to start the first inning with Benny Lane reaching first on an error and then scoring a run after Aidenn Ruiz hit an RBI single to give St. Anthony a 1-0 lead.
Saints’ starter Austin Cassidy shutout the Patriots with two strikeouts to end the first inning.
Jason Glenn gave the Saints their first baserunner in the second when he singled to centerfield and scored to put St. Anthony up. Nick Galluccio singled to push the lead to 2-0.
After two scoreless half innings, the Patriots loaded the bases after a leadoff hit-by-pitch and back-to-back singles from Jude Kim and Sora Suzuki.
Oxford Academy cut the lead to 2-1 after a wild pitch allowed a run to score and the Patriots took a 3-2 lead after a 2-run double.
The Saints wasted no time as John Arnold, Kyle Shisbey and Glenn singled to load the bases with no outs.
Matthew James tied the game with a sacrifice and Benny Lane gave the Saints a 5-3 lead thanks to a 2-run single.
In the inning, Galluccio also singled as he went 3/5 for the day with two RBIs.
“Everyone performed today,” Galluccio said. “Not just me. Pitching, defense, especially Glenn with his catch. Everyone just had solid at bats with two strikes.”
The Saints didn’t give up another run as AJ Ortiz and Anthony Valdez pitched four scoreless innings to close the game out.
In the fifth inning, the Saints added two more to put the game away after Arnold led off with a double.
St. Anthony now awaits their playoff position when the brackets release next Monday.
