EMERSON, Ga. – If there were any questions whether Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio) could swing the bats consistently, the Fighting Crusaders answered them all at the Perfect Game Louisville Slugger Select Classic #4. Coach Tom Held and his Crusaders finished off the tournament undefeated by beating Greenbrier Christian 9-7 in the Championship game on Saturday afternoon.
In a game that came that came down to the very end Archbishop Moeller did what they had done all week long, put up big numbers on the scoreboard. Senior Wright State signee Kyle Dockus led the way for the Crusaders in the championship game going 1-for-3 with two RBI, three runs scored and three stolen bases.
Fellow senior and Ohio Dominican signee Mitchell Bault got the start on the mound. Bault went five innings giving up six hits and two unearned runs while striking out five. The bullpen took over for Bault in the sixth inning and had some trouble finishing off the game.
Greenbrier Christian tallied four runs in the top of the sixth to move within 8-6, but the Crusaders' bullpen weathered the late rally to hold on.
With a talented roster that features 11 college commitments, Coach Held sees the LSSC #4 as a good experience for his guys as they get ready for a playoff run. “It helps us figure out a lot of things about our team and we will use it as a springboard to help us through the regular season and into our postseason," he said.
In order for Held and his Crusaders to make the big push in the playoffs he is going to have to lean on veteran arms like Nick Bennett and Grant Macciocchi.
Bennett and Macciocchi both had great outings this week at the LSSC #4. Bennett started the semifinal game and went five innings giving up only four hits while striking out five. Macciocchi tossed the opening game of the tournament and he too provided five innings, giving up two runs with nine strikeouts. Junior Kyle Butz had a great tournament going 4-for-10 with seven RBI, five walks, and three stolen bases.
The Crusaders were a headache on the bases for every team they played. In total Archbishop Moeller has 21 steals in four games this week with 10 different guys getting at least one stolen base.
For Held and the Fighting Crusaders, playing well at the end of the season and making a deep run in the playoffs is the final goal.
“I think with the players we have the ability to get to the final 32 or 16, but it’s a one and done tournament so the guys are going to have to make plays," Held said.