Odell, Patterson Lead Attack as Gaels Capture DawgFest Title

SOMERS—The John F. Kennedy Catholic High baseball team remained sizzling hot last week, as the Gaels rolled over North Salem, 7-1, last Wednesday, then blitzed past Tappan Zee, 11-1, and Beacon, 17-4, to win the DawgFest Tournament title Friday and Saturday at Beacon.

The three wins left Kennedy at 9-1 overall, and 3-0 in League 1-D play.

In Saturday’s DawgFest championship game, the Gaels pushed eight runs home in the second to pull away.

Erik Bauer (2-0) got the win for JFK, going five innings. Mike Hines and Tom Baroni pitched in relief.

The Gaels’ bats remained red-hot. Boomer Odell and Ryan Patterson were named co-MVPs after a strong showing. Odell drove in five runs in the championship game, and went 2-for-5 with a homer, and Patterson was 5-for- 6 with two RBI and two runs scored. Bauer had three RBI and went 2-for-3, JT Flanagan had three RBI and tripled, Joe Smith knocked in two runs, Remy Fields had an RBI double, and John Giordano had one RBI.

In the tournament opener Friday, Oscar Giret (3-0) earned the win for JFK. He went the distance and fanned five, allowing one earned run. Trozzo took the loss.

Bauer went 2-for-4 with three RBI, and Flanagan and Smith each knocked in three runs, Giordano and Steve Kessler each had an RBI, Field went 2-for- 3, and Odell was 3-for-4 with a double.

Gaels manager Bob Fletcher knew he had quality pitching, but Kennedy’s offense has been a pleasant surprise to the veteran skipper.

“Our pitching has been very, very good,” Fletcher said. “And our defense has been very good. We’re getting double plays, and our pitchers are attacking the zone and throwing strikes. And much to my surprise, we’re doing very well offensively. Patterson is playing very well, and so is Fields. Smith has been hitting well, and Odell has been hot all year. He and Patterson are a nice one-two punch… And Bauer – a sophomore – has been hitting with power, pitching and playing defense. He’s been very impressive.”

The prior Wednesday against North Salem, Baroni (4-0) picked up the win in a complete-game performance, striking out 10 without a walk. Worth took the loss.

Smith knocked in three runs for JFK and doubled, Giordano had two RBI, Flanagan had one RBI and Patterson doubled.

Kennedy was set to travel to Haldane today (Thursday) at 4:30pm, and the Gaels visit North Salem Friday at 4:30.