Surprising Cherokee wins again

Cherokee spent all of one week under the radar.

Unranked at the beginning of the baseball season, the Chiefs took steps to correct that oversight with a 4-0 start that has included victories over two Top 10 teams and two other perennial powers.

Seniors Craig Joseph and Erik Danser hit home runs and sophomore Shane Elliott earned the pitching win with some solid relief as visiting Cherokee capped its big opening week Saturday with a 7-3 victory over Holy Cross.

"I didn't expect to be 4-0, but I'm not shocked," Cherokee coach Marc Petragnani said. "I'm actually shocked that we got four games in [because of the rainy weather]."

Joseph, a catcher, hit a three-run homer in the first inning and singled and scored in the third. Danser, a third baseman and relief pitcher, singled and scored in the first and hit a solo home run in the third.

Danser also closed the game, striking out all three batters he faced with runners on first and second.

"When we saw we weren't ranked, it made us work that much harder," Danser said. "I think teams might not know what to expect when they face us."

Barry Griffies pitched four innings of near-flawless relief for Holy Cross (3-1), the No. 6 team in The Inquirer Top 10.

The Lancers scored three runs in the first inning but managed just four hits the rest of the way as Elliott worked three strong innings in relief of starter Jim Rossi.

"He's a big kid who is growing into his body," Petragnani said of Elliott, a righthander.

In addition to Holy Cross, the Chiefs also beat No. 2 Lenape, as well as Bishop Eustace and Cherry Hill East.

"I knew we had a good team. We just need to get out there and play together," Joseph said. "Everybody has been hitting the ball."

Joseph's three-run homer to right field probably would have cleared the fence in just two parks in South Jersey - at Holy Cross and at Bishop Eustace.

His opposite-field poke landed in the netting that protects the tennis courts, just inside of the 270-foot sign.

"I hit it all right," Joseph said with a shrug.

Sophomore leadoff hitter Zach Ellin had three hits and scored two runs, and junior designated hitter Casey Coyle and junior shortstop Shane Garrett drove in runs for Cherokee.

"We've got a long way to go," Petragnani said.

Cherokee   4021000 - 7111

Holy Cross   3000000 - 340

WP: Shane Elliott. LP: Jon Adryan. 2B: HC-Frank Lazar. HR: C-Craig Joseph, Erik Danser.