Delmonte pitches C.H. West past C.H. East

Brenden Delmonte's comeback might not be complete.

But the Cherry Hill West junior lefthander made a major move on Monday.

Taking the mound as a starting pitcher for the first time in nearly a year, Delmonte led Cherry Hill West to a 15-2 victory over Cherry Hill East in a clash of crosstown rivals.

"What an unbelievable effort," Cherry Hill West coach Dan McMaster said. "That was a lot of guts."

Delmonte threw six strong innings and Ben Machtinger cracked a solo home run for Cherry Hill West (10-6).

Rob Taylor and Chuck LaGrossa rapped RBI singles for Cherry Hill East (5-12).

The host Cougars surrendered 10 runs in the final two innings as three young relief pitchers struggled with their control.

"You give up nine walks and hit a batter - that's 10 free passes," Cherry Hill East coach Erik Radbill said. "It's tough to win when you do that."

Alex Injaian, Anthony Lizzi, Danny O'Sullivan, and Vince Cahill each had two hits for Cherry Hill West.

But the big story for the Lions was Delmonte's work on the mound.

"I felt pretty good out there," Delmonte said. "I had thrown a few bullpens the last couple of weeks. I was ready."

Delmonte was the Lions' ace last season as a sophomore. He struck 55 in 40 innings.

But a shoulder ailment shut down the lefthander from the end of last season and through the summer and fall. He pitched for the first time this season last week against Paul VI, throwing two-plus innings.

"He's still not all the way back," McMaster said. "He's not throwing as hard as he did last year. But he knows how to locate and change speeds."

Delmonte allowed two runs on four hits. He struck out seven with three walks.

"He was on top of the ball," Cherry Hill West catcher Zack Renna said. "He was attacking hitters. It was great to see him back out there."

Cherry Hill West    041 005 5 - 15 11 1

Cherry Hill East    000 110 0 - 2 5 2

WP: Brenden Delmonte. LP: Kurt Taylor.

2B: CHW-Vince Cahill, Anthony Lizzi; CHE-Gary Hettinger.

HR: CHW-Ben Machtinger.