Catholic League defeats Public League in Carpenter Cup

St. Joseph's Prep catcher Ray Toto has shown he will do anything to help his team win, from manicuring the field to hitting home runs and throwing out runners.

Toto went 2 for 3 with a double, home run and three RBIs as the Philadelphia Catholic League beat the Public League, 11-2, in Tuesday's opening-round Carpenter Cup game at FDR Park's Richie Ashburn Field.

The Catholic League will face Suburban One League American & Continental in Monday's 9 a.m. quarterfinal. The SOL team defeated Delaware County, 10-2, in Tuesday's third and final game.

In addition to providing ample offense, Toto threw out one attempted base-stealer and picked another off first base.

"He's a great kid, super dedicated and really bright," said Catholic League coach Jim DiGuiseppe, of Archbishop Wood. "I was doing the field, and he came up and asked if he could help me rake."

Toto, a junior, plans to play baseball in college and realizes the benefits of playing in the Carpenter Cup and auditioning in front of scores of scouts.

"It's such an honor to be on this team and a great opportunity," Toto said.

Lefthander Joe Nestor of Catholic League-champion Monsignor Bonner earned the win with two scoreless innings to start the game. Roman Catholic senior righthander Tim Racek followed with three more scoreless frames.

La Salle sophomore third baseman Colin Pyne had a two-run single.

Senior third baseman Kevin Pfeifer of league-champion Central had an RBI triple to account for one of the Public League's runs.

"It's always tough to lose, but this was a pretty big stage to get a hit like that," Pfeifer said. "I was sitting on a fastball, and that's what I got."

In the SOL American & Continental win, Quakertown senior shortstop Jayson Rathjens hit a two-run homer as part of a six-run third inning.

Quakertown senior righthander Kurt Roberts pitched two scoreless innings for the win. Souderton senior righthander Keith Moyer followed with three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out four.

Moyer, no relation to former Souderton and current Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer, said being on last year's Carpenter Cup team has helped him.

"Last year was more intimidating," said Moyer, who is headed to East Stroudsburg. "The first inning I was a little nervous, but then I settled down."

For Delaware County, Shea Rosadino of Conestoga went 2 for 3 with two RBIs.

Marple Newtown lefthander Chris Kirsch, a 13th-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowed one run and struck out two in 21/3 innings for Delaware County. Kirsch said that the Pirates are prohibited from negotiating with him until after he graduates Thursday, but that he expects to meet with them soon after.

In the first game of the day, Jordan Jeter of Muhlenberg went 2 for 2 with two RBIs as Berks County defeated Mercer County, 7-4.

Public League   000000110 - 273

Catholic League   01222310x - 11121

WP: Joe Nestor. LP: Dominac Raia. 2B: PL-Tyler Esbenson; CL-Albert Baur, Michael Riverso, Matthew Petrizzi, Ray Toto, Kevin Conroy, Kevin Mack. 3B: PL-Kevin Pfeifer. HR: CL-Ray Toto.

SOL Amer. & Cont.   006001300 - 10132

Delaware County   000000101 - 2103

WP: Kurt Roberts. LP: Slater McCue. 2B: S-Ryan Pater; DC-Norm Donkin, Anthony Knight, Shea Rosadino. 3B: S-Casey Saverio. HR: S-Jayson Rathjens.

Berks County   000024100 - 7131

Mercer County   200100100 - 482

WP: Brent Rhoads. LP: Mike Mimmo. 2B: MC-Steve Arnold 2; BC-Chris Drobnick. 3B: MC-Alex Mottle.