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Gloucester Catholic sets sights on winning at Diamond Classic

They've been prominent members of Brooklawn American Legion teams that have won two World Series titles. They've been part of a Gloucester Catholic program that has won two state titles in the last three seasons. But there's one thing that the Rams' highly decorated senior class has never done: win a game in the Joe Hartmann Diamond Classic.

They've been prominent members of Brooklawn American Legion teams that have won two World Series titles.

They've been part of a Gloucester Catholic program that has won two state titles in the last three seasons. But there's one thing that the Rams' highly decorated senior class has never done: win a game in the Joe Hartmann Diamond Classic.

Gloucester Catholic coach Mike Rucci was asked how motivated his seniors were to make a mark in this season's tournament. "Tremendously," he said.

Gloucester Catholic (16-3), the No. 1 team in The Inquirer Top 20, opens play in the Diamond Classic on Saturday vs. No. 11 Lenape (9-6) at 10:30 a.m. at Washington Township.

Rucci said folks close to the program are baffled and determined by its lack of success in South Jersey's most prestigious in-season baseball tournament.

Gloucester Catholic is widely regarded as the state's top program. The Rams have won 17 state titles, almost twice as many as any other team.

During the careers of this year's senior class, Gloucester Catholic has won state titles in 2012 and 2013 and reached the Non-Public South A final in 2014.

In addition, several of the team's top seniors - Sean Breen, Fran Kinsey, Anthony Harrold, and Pete Farlow along with junior Tyler Mondile - have been key players for Brooklawn American Legion teams that won the World Series in 2013 and 2014.

But the Rams are 0-3 in their last three Diamond Classic games.

They have scored just one run, total, in those three first-round games: a 4-0 loss to Millville in 2012; a 7-1 loss to Washington Township in 2013 and a 1-0 loss to Audubon in 2014.

Gloucester Catholic has won six Diamond Classic titles, more than any other program. But all the Rams' titles were between 1994 and 2001.

"Some of our freshmen were not even born the last time we won the Diamond," Rucci said. "[The players] really want to change that."