Prep Baseball Report

No. 3 St. Rita, Fosco blank Loyola



By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

CHICAGO – Loyola left-hander Danny Rafferty entered Saturday’s Chicago Catholic Blue opener at No. 3 St. Rita having not allowed an earned run this season.

St. Rita didn’t seem to care.

Junior shortstop Jake Shepski hit a two-run homer in the first inning, which was plenty of offense for right-hander Dominic Fosco, who pitched the Mustangs to a 5-0 victory.

St. Rita (19-2, 6-0) jumped out to a 4-0 lead after three innings against the Bucknell-bound Rafferty (3-1), who hadn’t allowed an earned run in 19 innings. Shepski, a Notre Dame recruit, finished the game 2-for-2 with three RBI and an intentional walk. His run-scoring single in the third inning plated pinch-hitter Aaron Fuller, who had singled.

Senior first baseman Marty Napleton also put a hurting on the Ramblers (7-6, 4-1). Napleton homered to lead off the fifth against Rafferty, and also doubled to lead off the second inning. The Joseph’s recruit finished 2-for-3. Senior outfielder Anthony Ray also had a sac-fly in the game.

The run-production was more than enough for Fosco, who improved 4-1 on the season. The unsigned senior tossed a five-hit complete game with four strikeouts, three walks and hit two batters. Every time Loyola threatened to break through, Fosco buckled down and escaped unscathed.

For example, Loyola right-fielder Danny Woodrow ripped a triple to right-center field to lead off the game. Fosco, however, stranded him at third behind a steady three-pitch mix, all of which he kept around the zone with movement. Fosco, who works from a 3/4 slot, had consistent arm-side run on his 79-81 mph fastball, which he climbed to 83 on occasion.

Woodrow, a speedy left-handed hitter who recently committed to Creighton, paced the Ramblers with two hits.

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