The defending Class S state champion St. Paul baseball team relied on power hitting and strong pitching to claim the ultimate prize in 2022.
This season, the pitching is still there, but the offense has needed to become more diversified with the graduations of Ryan Daniels, Casey Cerruto and Mario Izzo Jr.
St. Paul used the dominant pitching of Jamie Leggett and small-ball tactics to claim a 3-1 road win over Holy Cross on May 3 at Municipal Stadium’s Bob Palmer Jr. Field. Leggett struck out 13 in a complete game effort. Leggett also helped his own cause at the plate with an RBI single as part of a three-run third inning. Batterymate Cal Chance provided a two-run single in that same frame.
Leggett struck out the side in the second inning, then did so again in the seventh inning. The seventh inning was a little more intense though. Holy Cross’ Dario Sosa led off with a walk, then Dillon Fernandes’ fly ball to center field was mishandled for an error to put runners on second and third. A wild pitch later scored Sosa and moved Fernandes to third base. Logan Brown walked and stole second base, putting the tying runs in scoring position. Leggett picked up his 13th and final strikeout to end the game.
St. Paul continued to roll Friday with an 18-0 home win over WCA. Chance continued to produce at the plate with two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored. Keaton Kroll added two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored while Cole Raymond tallied an RBI double and run scored.
St. Paul (12-2) has another big NVL game Monday at Woodland (14-2) at 4:45 p.m.
GALLERY: Here are my photos from the May 3 game at Municipal Stadium.
