St. Thomas Academy wins in extras over Holy Angels

The St. Thomas Academy Cadets defeated the Academy of Holy Angels Stars 13-9 in 8 innings on Saturday afternoon at Richfield High School.

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Holy Angels started the scoring when senior Joe Longo hit an RBI double to make it 1-0 Stars. Then, sophomore Sam Briggs hit a two-RBI double to put Holy Angels up 3-0.

The Cadets answered right back in the top of the second inning when senior catcher Tristin Thilmany cracked a two-RBI single to make it a 3-2 ballgame.

In the top of the fourth inning, senior Angelo Pacyga ties the game with an RBI single for the Cadets. Then, senior Simon Kotok had an RBI single to put St. Thomas in the lead with a 4-3 score.

The Cadets added to the lead with a four-run fifth inning. Thilmany started things off with an RBI single to make it 5-3 Cadets. Senior Ben Taxdahl then hit a two-RBI triple to make it 7-3. Then, Pacyga hit an RBI double to make it 8-3 St. Thomas.

But, Holy Angels had themselves an even bigger bottom half of the fifth inning. Following a run to make it 8-4, Longo stole home after when the catcher was throwing the ball back to the pitcher to make it 8-5. Then, senior Connor Nizuick cleared the bases with a three-RBI double to make it tied at 8-8. Junior Tryo Lynch then drove Nizuick in with an RBI single to give the Stars the 9-8 lead going into the sixth inning.

In the top of the sixth, Thilmany tied the game for the Cadets with a sacrifice fly to make it 9-9. The game would remain tied and go to extra innings.

The Cadets wasted no time in extra innings. In the top of the eighth inning, Thilmany got another hit. Senior Joe Middleton bunted a single to load the bases with zero outs for St. Thomas. Taxdahl then brought a runner in with an infield single to make it 10-9 Cadets. The big hit came when sophomore Michael Miller cracked a two-RBI single down the first base line to make it 12-9 St. Thomas. The Cadets would add another run to make it 13-9 going into the bottom half of the eighth inning.

Senior pitcher Jacob Zenner then closed the game for the Cadets. St. Thomas will next play Simley High School on June 8 at Richfield High School.