They graduated the two top pitchers from a team that reached the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship game and also saw a key returner go down with an ankle injury.
It could have spelled disaster for a Paul VI baseball team blessed with a batting order as deep as any in the D.C. area. Instead, the top-ranked Panthers have put together a deep rotation where 10 pitchers have started games this season and 15 different players have taken to the mound.
That depth has Paul VI tied for first place in the WCAC with No. 2 St. John’s (18-5, 11-2 WCAC). The Panthers were 20-3 overall and 11-2 in the WCAC entering Monday night’s game against O’Connell.
“I think we all knew how deep our lineup was and that if a couple of guys could step in at pitcher we’d have a great chance again,” said 6-foot-3, 235-pound junior Mike Mitchell, a converted catcher who hadn’t pitched since seventh grade. “It felt weird at first. But once a few of us got that experience we needed it was a lot more comfortable.”
Mitchell has been one of the biggest success stories, despite his inexperience on the mound. He is 5-1 and was a hard-luck loser against St. John’s in a 1-0 setback on April 18. He teams with junior lefty Drew Shaw, also 5-1 with a win over St. John’s under his belt on March 20. Shaw was 5-1 last year while tossing 33 innings.
But seemingly everyone on the roster contributes. Seniors Bob Grazioli and John Ralston and junior Pete Verdin are all 2-0. Sophomore Pat McDonald is 1-0 with a save. Junior Greg Wiegand has a pair of saves while freshman Tyler Costello and sophomore Chad Morgan each have one win.
And the Panthers have barely used one of their only other experienced pitchers besides Shaw. Junior Reed Bromley, 2-0 last season in 18 innings, missed almost three weeks with an ankle injury suffered in his first start. He is back, but playing first base and designated hitter for now. Junior Brett Bowers has been limited to field play after suffering a partial labrum tear last season. But he also could be used in the postseason, if needed.
“We were right on the cusp last year and losing in the final the way we did was pretty hard to take,” said Paul VI coach Billy Emerson, whose team lost 14-12 to Good Counsel in the championship. “But I think this is a team that can do something special.”
Title chase
» It’s a five-team race in the WCAC, with Paul VI and St. John’s at the top. Gonzaga (17-8, 10-4), DeMatha (16-9, 9-4) and O’Connell (12-7, 9-5) hope to make noise Sunday in the postseason tournament.
» Through 23 games, Paul VI homered 28 times to set a new school record. The old record was 23.
» Paul VI seniors OF Zach Costello (Delaware) and shortstop John Ralston (Rider) have signed letters-of-intent to play college baseball while junior Brett Bowers has verbally committed to East Carolina.
