Karp, Rocco pitch Eagles past Mikes
By DEAN DELLAMALVA JR.
MVI Sports
Serra Catholic put its loss to Seton LaSalle behind it and got great pitching from Zach Karp and Max Rocco in taking down Carmichaels, 7-2, in a WPIAL Class 2A consolation game Tuesday at Washington and Jefferson’s Ross Memorial Park.
Karp went five innings in the win, allowing two runs on just six hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Rocco pitched two scoreless in relief with four strikeouts and two free passes.
“Pitching and defense has won us so many games this year,” Eagles coach Brian Dzurenda said. “Our pitchers were very efficient. Karp has been like that all year. He elicits a lot of fly ball outs.
“I have nothing but respect for Karp. He’s a smart kid who I’d love to have him here,” said Carmichaels head coach Richard Krause. “He was totally in command of the game and a big difference for them.”
On the flip side, Carmichaels’ pitchers – especially starter Gavin Pratt – struggled for the second consecutive game while dealing with playing on an artificial mound. They combined to walk nine batters and had several wild pitches to help fuel the Serra offense.
“I watched (Carmichaels) play up at Norwin and (Pratt) struggled tremendously throwing strikes,” Dzurenda said. “I told our kids to take a lot of pitches today on purpose just to make him work.”
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