Baseball: Gloucester Catholic beats Holy Cross

Elliott McCummings had four hits and Gloucester Catholic stole six bases in the Rams' 12-5 victory over Holy Cross Tuesday in the Non-Public South A quarterfinals.

Rob Alessandrine stole three bases and scored three runs, and Brett Tenuto had a HR and double for GC (24-4), the No. 3 team in the Inquirer Top 10.

GC faces NO. 1 Bishop Eustace, an old and fierce rival, in the NP South A semis on Friday at Brooklawn.

Sophomore Mike Mercer got the win with 3 2.3 innings of strong relief. He allowed two hits and one run, with five strikeouts and no walks.

Junior Jon Mackie hit a three-run HR for Holy Cross (23-5).

The Lancers took a 5-2 lead on Mackie's HR but couldn't hold it as the Rams used their speed and base running to put pressure on the home team.

Senior Joe Santone had a pair of doubles -- one right-handed, the other left-handed -- and three RBIs for GC.

"That's the name of the game for Gloucester Catholic baseball," Alessandrine said of the Rams' small-ball attack.

McCummings had two bunt singles. Alessandrine alspo had a bunt single. Senior Pat Kane was 2-for-4 with an infield single and two steals.

"They put so much pressure on you," HC coach Steve Paolini said.

-- Phil Anastasia