The Rough Riders jumped on the Crusaders of Notre Dame Green Pond in the bottom of the first inning last Saturday and beat Notre Dame 6-3. Catty improved to 9-5 for the season, and 8-4 in the Colonial League South and secured a District 11 AA playoff spot.

"It was special because we beat a team that we haven't beat in two years, we clinched a playoff spot in districts for the first time and Zack [Bradley] threw to get the win," said head coach Steve Bradley. "It was very special for me, but the team understands that there is a lot more season left and we have to keep playing with the same intensity every time out. We are playing well at a good time in the season."

In the first frame, Zach Stopay walked and stole second base. Zac Edwards had a bunt single which moved Stopay to third. Edwards stole second and Stopay scored on sacrifice fly from Randal Pacchioli. Carlos Perez then hit a two-run homer scoring Edwards for a quick, 3-0 lead.

Up by a slim 4-3 margin, Catty scored two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single from Perez and a squeeze bunt from Tyler Correll.

Zack Bradley pitched a complete game and had 11 strikeouts.

"Zack threw a great game," Bradley said. "Said early on his slider and curve ball were breaking a lot and were very effective, but throughout the game it was his fast ball that was most effective.

The win also moved Catty into first place in the North Division of the Colonial League, two games ahead of rival Pen Argyl. The showdown between the two teams was rained out in Catty on Monday.

"Making districts in baseball has completed my goal of reaching districts in all three sports my senior year (cross country, basketball, baseball)," Edwards said. "We are still not satisfied and our goal is to compete in the Colonial League playoffs before districts start. The next two weeks are crucial because we still have four league games remaining."

Only the winner of the Colonial League North Division will make the league playoffs.

Perez went 2-for-3 and junior catcher Pacchioli continued his tear on the horsehide.

Sean Williams struck out five Roughie batters and walked three. Dan McDonald hit a solo homer and Eric Santiago knocked in a run for the Crusaders, who are Colonial League and District 11 playoff bound. As it stands now, three teams from the South will make the playoffs. Salisbury the South champs and Southern Lehigh are the other two.

***

In their most recent game from Tuesday at home against Pen Argyl, the Roughies fell 5-1.

Phil Ruggiero pitched a gem going all seven innings allowing one run on three hits while striking out five and walking just one.

Randal Pacchioli had two of the three hits including a double. He also knocked in Catty's only run of the game in the bottom of the third. Zach Stopay also doubled for CHS.

Catty had a 1-0 lead heading into the top of the fifth when the Knights scored three. Tyler Buskirk hit a solo homer in that frame as part of the scoring. Buskirk also added an RBI in Pen Argyl's two-run sixth.

Devon LaBarre and Nick Over were both 2-for-4 and LaBarre drove in two more Green Knight runs. Ruggiero also added an RBI.

Zach Stopay took the loss going six innings and striking out five while walking two.

Catty fell to 9-6 (8-3).

***

The last couple of years taking a trip to Saucon Valley High School wasn't always enjoyable. That wasn't the case this year as Catty ripped the ball for all five innings rolled 12-0.

Zack Bradley pitched a five-inning one hitter and had six strikeouts.

Zac Edwards smacked a double and drove in two runs while going 2-for-3. Jacob Stopay drove in two runs with a line drive single between third and short.

Steve Bradley said, "And then the floodgates opened eight hits total, no errors."

Saucon tried four Panthers to stop Saucon. Starting pitcher Matt Laub got tagged with the loss. Laub got hammered for five runs in the first. Austin Cawley got the ball next and he struck out five and walked two. Brandon Callahan came to the mound in the fourth and got in trouble with three walks. Billy DeSmet was the final chucker who struck out one.

Eight players had RBIs for the Rippin' Roughs: Brandon Purrone, Alex Torres, the battery of Bradley and Randal Pacchioli, Tyler Correll and Zach Stopay to go along with Edwards and Jake Stopay who had two RBIs each.