Immediately after Curtis was run-ruled by Grand Street Campus in its Monroe Tournament opener, the Warriors had the unenviable task of meeting defending CHSAA Class AA city champion Xaverian.
On the way to another loss against a citywide powerhouse, however, something out of the ordinary happened: Curtis picked itself off the mat and blanked Xaverian, 2-0, at Grand Street to remain in contention for the elimination round.
Michael Piccirillo was the star, tossing seven shutout frames and delivering both runs with a first-inning single which plated Daniel Newman and Daniel Murray. Piccirillo, Curtis’ starting catcher, kept the potent Clippers off balance by relying mostly on his knuckleball and curveball.
“It was pretty surprised, I’m not going to lie,” Curtis coach Anthony Formica said. “He did tell me he was going to throw a shutout before the game. I said, ‘Sounds great.’”
Piccirillo was in complete command. Xaverian didn’t get a runner past second and managed just three hits. He was aided by his defense as the senior only struck out one. If Curtis, which went 1-1 on the day, can get by Long Island City Monday at 11:15 a.m., it has a great chance to reach the 10-team elimination round as Xaverian and Grand Street face off.
“We’re in the driver’s seat now,” Formica said. “This gives us a lot of confidence. It shows they know how to win, we’re able to bounce back and it’s a sign of toughness. They’ve very resilient.”
Anthony Amatuzzi pitched 5-1/3 innings for Xaverian, giving up just those two runs in the first. Brian Rosa came in for the final 2/3. Clippers coach Lou Piccola was impressed with Piccirillo and shortstop Chris Moran.
“They made every play,” said Piccola, whose team is 1-1 after the first day of the tournament and will face Grand Street Campus in its final pool play contest Monday at 9 a.m. at Grand Street.
Xaverian 10, Long Island City 1: Tommy Anselmo gave up just a run and a hit over four innings while striking out eight for Xaverian. Julian Lanfranco had two hits and three runs scored.
Grand Street 14, Curtis 2: Kevin Martir had four hits, two triples and seven RBIs and Geraldo Gonzalez fanned nine and allowed just one hit in a complete-game performance for Grand Street, which went 2-0 on the day and takes on Xaverian in its last pool play game Monday at 9 a.m. at Grand Street.
POOL A
James Monroe 12, Lab Museum 5: Eddie Gonzalez allowed three unearned runs over six innings, gave up four hits and struck out six, Ricky Parra had two hits and scored twice and Luis Santini added three hits, scored two runs and drove in another for Monroe, which went 2-0 on the day and will face John Adams in its final pool play contest on Monday at 8:30 a.m. at Monroe. LMU went 0-2 and meets Christ the King Monday at 10:45 a.m. at Monroe in its pool play finale.
