Walk-off hit ends St. Augustine's baseball season in state championship game

The feeling following Saturday's Non-Public A state baseball championship game was familiar for coach Mike Bylone.

For the second year in a row, his St. Augustine team made it to the final of the state tournament. And for the second year in a row, the Hermits fell in a close game, losing, 2-1, to Delbarton after a seventh-inning stunner.

"It's very tough," Bylone said. "It was an excellent baseball game. We've got some long faces in the dugout, myself included. But there's nothing to be ashamed of. We had a hell of a year."

The Hermits, who won the state title in 2001, finished this season at 24-7. Delbarton ended at 21-7 and with its third state title.

With the score tied, 1-1, in the bottom of the seventh inning, St. Augustine starter Kevin Eaise walked Delbarton's Mark Darakjy. Cole Vanderslice then entered as a relief pitcher.

Eaise had entered the game with a 6-2 record and 2.56 ERA.

A sacrifice bunt from sophomore Thomas Colicchio moved Darakjy into scoring position with only one out. Freshman Kyle Vinci then cracked a ball into center field, and Darakjy scurried home for the winning run and the state championship.

St. Augustine fell into a hole in the second inning when a throw from third to first base flew high, allowing Delbarton to score off the error.

St. Augustine finally pushed a run across in the sixth inning. came for St. Augustine in the sixth inning. Joe Bonchek reached on a bunt single and then slid under a high throw to steal second.

Two batters later, Greg Elfreth slapped a single to left field that bounced off the glove of the Delbarton shortstop. The play sent Bonchek home, beating at his chest as he touched the plate.

With the score tied, the St. Augustine bench came to life. Despite their excitement, the Hermits couldn't score another run, giving Delbarton the chance to win in the bottom of the seventh.

The Hermits remained on the grass in right field long after the trophy presentation ended, hugging, crying, and talking about the future.

"We felt the same thing coming into this year," Eaise said of wanting to return to the title game and win it.

"We're a young team," he said. "There's a lot of young guys, but we've all felt this now. Hopefully we'll be having a little bit of a different interview next year."

Delbarton 010 000 1 - 2 2 2

St. Augustine 000 001 0 - 1 3 1

WP: Billy Price LP: Kevin Eaise. 2B: D-

Mark Darakjy