Providence Catholic, Barnett Push Past Stagg

NEW LENOX, IL - The Providence Catholic Celtics played host to the Stagg Chargers on Friday afternoon in a game that saw minimal action till late in the contest. A five run sixth proved to be enough offense as the Celtics topped the Chargers 7-2 behind a strong pitching performance by RHSP Bryce Barnett (Arizona State commit).

Barnett and Stagg sophomore LHSP George Evangelopolus exchanged scoreless frames back and forth early as both starters held their opposition hitless through the first two frames. The Celtics struck first in the third as Alex Helmin (Arizona State commit) drove in Josh Mrozek (Kent State commit) who was HBP, stole second and advanced to third on a catcher throwing error. Evangelopolous avoided the big inning as he struck out the final hitter of the inning stranding two Celtics on base.

Providence’s Ryan O’Neil delivered the first extra base hit of the game in RBI fashion as the sophomore SS drove a double to his pull side gap plating Luke Pell in the 4th.

Helmin headlined the five run 6th as he delivered a three-run triple to right-center clearing the bases.  Pell, O’Neil, Brendan Slota, Jack Flynders (Kishwaukee JC commit) and Ben Vitas all singled in the frame - Slota and Vitas drove in one apiece. Helmin lead the Providence attack with a line: 2-for-4, 4 QABs, 3B, 3 RBI, R, SB.

The Chargers did not go down quietly as they scored their first two runs of the game in the top of the 7th. With the bases loaded and two outs, Eddie Lovell roped a two-run single past the outstretched first baseman scoring Nick Harper and Dante Pieri. Next man up, sophomore three-hole hitter Austin Stone then barreled a baseball deep to right as Mrozek made an over the shoulder, highlight reel catch to end the game.

Lovell led the Stagg offense with two pull side singles, two RBI and a free pass.

Barnett twirled five innings of two hit ball, both singles, while striking out five and walking three in the winning effort.

Evangelopolous took the loss going four innings of one hit ball allowing two runs - one earned - while fanning four and walking four.