Porcello, Pirates too much for St. Joseph
Falcons fall, 10-1, in Non-Public A final

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Above, St. Joseph's Eddie Brown tries to chase down Seton Hall Prep's Joe Demarzo during Saturday's NJSIAANon-Public A title game held at Toms RIver North HighSchool. Below, losing pitcher Kevin Poll rears back to fire a pitch during the Falcons' 10-1 loss to the Pirates, the nation's top-ranked high school baseball team.

When taking on the top high school pitcher in the nation, the last thing you want to do is fall behind in the top of the first inning.

Unfortunately, that's exactly what the St. Joseph High School baseball team did on Saturday in the Non-Public A final on Saturday.

The Falcons, who beat second-seeded Christian Brothers Academy, 1-0, in the Non-Public South A final, advanced to take on the nation's top-ranked high school team from Seton Hall Prep (32-1), and their brilliant ace, Gatorade National Player of the Year Rick Porcello.

After winning the coin toss, the Falcons chose to be the home team, giving the Pirates a first shot at Falcon ace Kevin Poll, who was making his second consecutive start on three days' rest after pitching brilliantly in the win over CBA.

That decision backfired, as Seton Hall Prep scored four runs on five singles and a walk, giving Porcello an early lead. And for someone who has pitched to a 1.20 ERA this season, a four-run lead is certainly reason to feel comfortable.

In fact, it was more than enough run support, as Porcello, who was drafted as the 27th overall pick by the Detroit Tigers in Thursday's Major League draft, held the Falcons to just five hits and two walks while striking out eight to lead the Pirates to a 10-1 win.

St. Joe's had their chances, putting runners on base in every inning except the fifth, but Porcello (who finished the year 10-0 with 112 strikeouts and just 15 walks) continued to get guys out when he needed to, recording 12 ground-ball outs to go with his eight strikeouts.

Poll, meanwhile, struggled against a disciplined Seton Hall offense. With Pirate players laying off the borderline pitches, Poll was forced to put the ball over the plate, and when he did, the Pirates made him pay for it.

It didn't take long for the St. Joseph players to see why Seton Hall Prep is as highly regarded as it is.

The Falcons' run came in the first when Ed Brown drew a walk, stole second and scored on Brian Koster's single up the middle. But that was all they could muster, while the Pirates added another run in the third, two more in the fourth, and three in the seventh.

Seton Hall Prep used a lethal combination of pitching, hitting and defense to stake their claim as the top team in the nation.

St. Joseph (16-13), who struggled with its consistency for parts of the regular season after entering the year as the Greater Middlesex Conference's top-ranked team, got a good look at what it takes to get that type of notoriety.

And with all but four position players returning next year, the Falcons can only hope that Saturday's loss can get them a step closer to being the type of program that beat them in the season's final game.

- Doug McKenzie