Joe Manganiello
Greater Watertown Area

[email protected]

 

Immaculate Heart 8     Carthage 2

 

The Comets didn’t take off against the live arm of Joshua Navarra, and the loaded Cavaliers’ lineup built an incremental lead on Monday night for an 8-2 victory in the Frontier League “A” Division (Section III) at the Watertown Fairgrounds.

Navarra, a senior, struck out 10 in six innings without allowing an earned run, undoing Carthage (5-9, 2-7) by spotting his fastball and snapping 12-6 curveballs up in the count. The left-hander also drove in two RBIs, doubled, and scored during Immaculate Heart Central’s second three-run inning in the fifth.

“He can be a very dominant pitcher,” said IHC head coach Mike Delaney. “When you strike out 10 guys in six innings, you’re certainly controlling the game. I’d like to see him ahead in counts a little more, and we worked (more off-speed) into the last inning. He has a good breaking ball and changeup.”

Vincenzo Alteri, a can’t-miss offensive prospect, was 3-for-3 with four RBIs, two runs and a stolen base for IHC (12-3, 8-1). Leadoff hitter Jake Fusilli — heading to SUNY Brockport to play soccer — was 2-for-3 with three runs and a stolen base.

“You hate to get beat, but you tip your hat to a good team,” Sech said. “Last year, coming into this game, we beat them. And they remember that, and I know my guys remember that.”

Only James Uhlinger managed success against Navarra, as Carthage finished with five hits. The 5-foot-7 waterbug reached base three times behind two hits and a walk, and Uhlinger swiped three bags flying around the bases.

In the first, Uhlinger reached base on an infield single, stole second, then advanced to third on a wild pitch, but Navarra struck out the side.

“We have put a lot of investment into his positivity,” Sech said. “He really can control an environment. He’s a good kid and a baseball junkie. He really cares, and he’s doing a nice job.”

Uhlinger drew a four-pitch walk in the third, stole second in 3.35 seconds, and then stole third in 2.77 seconds. James scored Uhlinger by driving a dropped fly ball to center field, tying the game at 1-1. But Alteri stunted the Comets at shortstop by drawing James into a pickle between second and third, and Navarra fought back from a 3-0 count to get Garrett Thomas to turn over to the third baseman.

“We had guys in scoring position with the right guys up,” Sech said. “The kids gave themselves the best chance to win, and unfortunately we just didn’t.”

Uhlinger, a junior transfer from Copenhagen Central, hit a standup double in the fifth, reaching second in 8:06. But Uhlinger was eventually called out for leaving early on a tag up, and Will Magovney turned one of two smooth 3-1 putouts at first base to end the inning.

“We teach (our first basemen) when they throw it (that) you continue with your motion, and that you try to get the ball to the (pitcher) before he reaches the base,” said Delaney, who also considers Navarra to be the best first baseman in the league. “(Magovney) made two solid plays, and a third one where he had to take it himself.”

Fusilli got up the line in 3.47 seconds on a perfect bunt up the third baseline, and with two runners aboard in the third inning, Alteri scored Zach Frechette on a bloop single.

“It’s difficult to read (when he’s going to bunt),” said Carthage starting pitcher Tyler Hike. “Last time (we played IHC), he hit a home run. He can do it all.”

Navarra brought Fusilli around by reaching base on an outfield error, and Magovney scored Alteri on a sac fly. Alteri raced home in 3.6 seconds, narrowly beating Bailey James’ cannon from right field, putting IHC up 4-1.

“What I saw was our catcher sliding up to get that ball, and there’s no chance of a tag,” Sech said. “Things to think about next year during my preseason. That’s when I have to teach my catcher to stay there, because (James) has an arm like that — a converted infielder — and I need to teach catching position.”

In the fifth, Fusilli reached on an error and moved into scoring position, scoring on Alteri’s single in a seven-second sprint from second base. Then Alteri stole second, and came around on Navarra’s double off the left field wall. Later Navarra crossed the plate to give IHC a 7-1 lead.

“If Jake gets on first, he’ll probably end up at third — if Vincenzo doesn’t hit him in before that,” Delaney said. “His quickness on the field is hard to defend, and it distracts the pitcher, which gives Vincenzo more fastballs.”

Hike, a 6-foot-2 junior, held his own over six innings, striking out five and giving up four earned runs. The Cavaliers scattered 10 hits against Hike, and three errors escalated matters for the Comets, but Hike avoided implosion by pounding down and away.

“I just tried to get the first pitch strike and not let them get ahead,” Hike said. “I didn’t have to lob a fastballs (over the) middle and watch them kill it. I could mix in off-speed (by getting ahead).”

“Going into the year, Tyler had to pitch,” Sech said. “There was going to be some growing pains — Tyler is very hard on himself about the art of pitching… He needs to pitch over these last four games and I need him next season.”

Carthage baseball wraps its regular season against Watertown (6-6, 6-2) at the Duffy Fairgrounds on Thursday and hosting General Brown (7-4) on Tuesday.

IHC concludes its regular season on Thursday on the road against Indian River (1-8).