Holy Cross 7, Derby 6

The Derby High School baseball team wasn’t supposed to have a chance Monday against Holy Cross of Waterbury — but someone forgot to tell the Red Raiders.

Holy Cross, coming into the game outscoring its first two league opponents by a gaudy 41 – 11 margin, eked out a 7 – 6 win on Derby’s home turf.

Derby now stands at 2 – 1 on the young season.

Red Raider senior pitcher Ryan Skelly turned in a solid performance and came within one pitch of turning back the mighty Holy Cross Crusaders.

The Red Raiders fell behind 1 – 0 in the Crusaders first at bat when Ryan Plourde singled, stole second and later scored on a hit by Tehan. Skelly sent a message as he struck out the side in spite of allowing a run.

The Red Raiders were optimistic in their first turn at the plate turning two hits, a walk and an error into three runs. Mike Ippolito grounded an infield single up the third base side to get it started.

Ray Kreiger drew a walk and Skelly slammed a run scoring single into the right field corner. The Crusaders fielder overthrew the cut off man and Skelly wound up on third as two runs were in. A passed ball gave Derby a surprising 3 – 1 advantage.

Holy Cross cut the deficit at 3 – 2 in the third. In the bottom of the frame patience and poise won out for the Red Raiders as they plated three more runs.

Ippolito drew a one out walk with Skelly and Jonathan Haydu working out walks to load the bases with two outs. 

Mike Fanelli fought off a two strike count to drive in a run earning a base on balls. Colin Haydu followed with a crushing two run single to right for a 6 – 2 Derby lead.

The Crusaders closed the gap with two runs in the fourth on a triple from McLam and a double from Tehan. It was a 6 – 4 Derby lead heading into the sixth and with six outs to go the Crusaders rallied to pull out the win.

Skelly surrendered eight hits and walked five but stymied the Crusaders with eight strikeouts as Derby held a 6 – 4 advantage with six outs to go.

Skelly struck out Kyle Tehan (two hits, two RBIs) for the second out in the sixth with two runners on board. The senior right hander battled Ryan Plourde and had two strikes on the Crusaders third baseman.

Derby shortstop Ippolito tried to one hop a squibber up the middle but the throw across the diamond went in the dirt and the Crusaders had new life. 

John Augelli reached out and grabbed a two strike pitch sending a fly ball into the gap for a two run double to give Holy Cross the lead at 7 – 6.

I don’t think we came in here over confident in spite of the amount of runs we’ve been able to put up,” said Holy Cross head coach Mike Phelan. Derby certainly has a very good team and we go into each game taking nothing for granted.”

It’s been quite some time since Derby started out a season at 2 – 0. Under veteran head coach Sumner Sochrin — this is his 35th season, lifetime record 451 – 275 — the Red Raiders may turn a few heads this season in the NVL.

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