BELLAIRE - And the hits just kept coming for Steubenville Catholic Central Monday afternoon.
Coach Don Young's Crusaders connected for a season-high 20 hits and Central did so at the expense of recently crowned Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Class 2A champion Bellaire.
Young watched his team inflict major punishment on John Patrone's Big Reds to the tune of 13-1 at Chase Field. The regular season victory elevated SCC to 17-5 entering today's road test at Wheeling Central.
The Crusaders were coming off a 7-2 OVAC 2A championship game setback against Linsly Friday at Vaccaro Field.
"We didn't hit well at all against Linsly. I was concerned how the guys would react (today)," Young advised.
Central's skipper got his answer in a big way. Nine Crusaders collected extra base hits. Additionally, starter and winner Jimmy Panella and reliever Alex Porreca were solid.
"That's a good Bellaire team we beat," Young added. "On days we show up, we can go out and compete with anyone on the schedule. Now, we need to keep this momentum going."
Panella worked five innings, yielding but one run and four hits. The senior struck out three and issued two walks. Porreca fanned three and walked one in two innings.
"For whatever reason, we never seemed ready to play today," Patrone shrugged. "If we turn this loss into something positive, thing maybe it was a good thing, I don't know.
"What I do know is Steubenville Central is an excellent hitting team. They certainly proved that today."
Eight Crusaders enjoyed multi-hit outings, including sophomore shortstop Brenton Colabella who clubbed a single, double and triple. Designated hitter David Bertoia belted two doubles. Catcher Kyle Laukert also delivered a pair of two-base blows.
Centerfielder B.J. Grandinetti socked a single and double as did third baseman Steve Mihalyo. Panella and Porreca singled twice as did second baseman Chris Murphy.
Colabella, Porreca and Laukert registered two RBIs apiece. Senior Joey Irvin contributed a run-producing triple.
Bellaire's Brendon Ross accounted for the hosts' lone run via a base knock. Starting pitcher Spencer Badia belted a double.
Catholic Central 13, Bellaire 1
Catholic Central 104 320 3 - 13 20 1
Bellaire 000 100 0 - 1 6 4
CATHOLIC CENTRAL (17-5): Panella (WP, 3K, 2BB; Porreca (6, 3K, 1BB) and Laukert; Colabella S, D, T, 2rbi; Laukert 2D, 2rbi; Porreca 2S, 2rbi; Bertoia 2D, rbi; Grandinetti S, D, rbi; Mihalyo S, D; Panella 2S, rbi; Murphy 2S, rbi; Lyons S, rbi; Irvin T, rbi.
BELLAIRE (15-9): Badia (LP, 0K, 0BB), Hall (3, 0K, 0BB), Steele (7, 1K, 1BB) and Conroy; Ross S, rbi; Badia D.
