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By John Nolan
Assistant Director of Scouting/Content Management 

Fairfax-A gorgeous Tuesday night saw a big matchup between a pair of very talented teams at the top of the WCAC standings as No. 14 St. John’s College traveled to Fairfax to take on No. 9 Paul VI Catholic. The Cadets sent sophomore ace Jacob Steinberg (Miami) to the mound and the Panthers countered with senior Timmy Newell (Imacculata).

Newell was in total control early, tossing three perfect innings to start the game. Steinberg was very good early as well, but allowed a run in the second when junior Jason Volpicelli and senior Kevin Kelly (James Madison) singled with one out. Senior catcher Devon Adams (Old Dominon) grounded to short, and the relay attempt on the double play got past the Cadet first baseman, allowing Volpicelli to score on the play. For velocities and scouting information on Newell and Steinberg, check the Virginia/DC Scout Blog later this week.

The Cadets would finally crack Newell in the fourth as they got their first baserunner when shortstop Myles Mensah (Hofstra) reached on an error to start the inning. Niko Jenkins (LaSalle) singled and both runners were sacrificed into scoring position before Steinberg tied the game up with an RBI groundout.

The game entered the fifth inning tied at one. A single, a walk, and a double steal wrapped around a couple of outs had Newell working with two outs and two Cadets in scoring position. Mensah broke the tie with a two out single to left. After Mensah moved to second on defensive indifference, Jenkins was able to beat out an infield single, with both runs scoring on the play. Senior shortstop Michael Cortiz (Naval Academy) made a great play on the ball, diving to his backhand and nearly getting the out at first, but his throw short-hopped the first basemen, who couldn’t make the scoop.

Steinberg had settled in at this point, and while he allowed some hard contact and had to work around baserunners, Paul VI was never able to get to a point where it had multiple runners on base during the rest of the game. The Cadets extended their lead in the sixth when Cam Remalia (Coastal Carolina) launched a home run to left center, and again in the seventh as they tacked on five runs against young Panther relievers.

For St. John’s, Steinberg picked up the win with 6 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K, while also going 1-4, with a run and 2 RBI. Senior Tanner Blizzard worked 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, and 1 BB. Jenkins went 2-3 with a BB, RBI, R, and a SB. Mensah was 1-4 with 2 R and an RBI. Remalia went 1-3 with a HR, 2 R, and 2 RBI. Jack Roberts (Elon) went 2-4 with a 2B, 2 SB, RBI, and a run. Alex Taylor (Potomac State CC) went 1-2 with 2 BB, SB, 2B, and an RBI.

For Paul VI, Newell took the loss, working 4 2/3 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 1 BB, and 5 K.