Trying to catch a break

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If confidence and spirit were enough to win games, St. John Neumann would be leading the Catholic League.

Tom Daly would make sure of it.

The senior catcher is known for his inspiring chants whenever his teammates are at bat or a Neumann pitcher is in a jam.

Daly also contributes in a practical way — he’s a left-handed hitter with a strong arm for defense.

Despite his efforts as a player and a booster, Neumann is 1-5 in Catholic League play.

The 18-year-old feels especially motivated to change that momentum.

"There is more pressure as a senior because you want to go to the playoffs," said Daly, of the 1500 block of South Dover Street.

So far, the season is playing out like last year, when Neumann couldn’t get the offensive production it needed to become one of the Southern Division’s top four teams.

In Monday’s 5-2 loss to Archbishop Carroll, the Pirates were limited to three hits, while the opponent racked up 10. Carroll pitcher Brandon Gribbin struck out nine Neumann batters.

The Pirates had plenty of scoring opportunities. Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the second, Daly singled to center field to load the bases with one out, but Neumann squeezed just one run out of the inning. Another big chance came in the fourth, when senior Justin Lannutti led off with a double, and advanced to third on Daly’s ground out. Once again, the Pirates stranded a runner.

Throughout the game, Daly did what he could to help his team focus. In the second inning, Carroll had runners at second and third with nobody out. The visitors plated two runs, but senior pitcher Michael Clancy said the catcher helped him keep his cool.

"Tom just keeps me in the game," Clancy said after his post-game jog around Neumann’s McNichol Field. "If they get a hit, he doesn’t let me get my head down."

In a 5-2 victory over Bishop McDevitt earlier this month, Clancy struck out nine over 7.2 innings. Daly believes another victory could be just the spark the team needs.

"Once we win our next game, it’ll motivate us to play harder and get into the playoffs," he said.

Daly, who is playing his second season on varsity, worked hard during the off-season, training at the baseball academy run by former major-league catcher John Marzano. The player dedicated three afternoons a week to his workouts. By the time the Catholic League season arrived, he was noticing a difference.

"[Marzano] helped me tremendously with my hitting," he said. "I know to listen to him more because he has been there."

Neumann coach Gaeton Lucibello said Daly’s left-handed hitting ability is a bonus. Last season, he said, he mainly relied on the catcher for his defensive ability and great arm. The coach, a former Neumann standout himself, said the biggest change is in the player’s attitude.

"He is taking what we as a coaching staff have taught him and actually putting it to use," Lucibello said. "He is actually very confident because of his success."

A former Second Team All-Catholic shortstop, the coach would like to see his team enjoy some of the success he did. Lucibello advanced to the second round of the playoffs with the Pirates in 1991, his senior year. He continued playing at Temple University, where he earned an athletic scholarship as a walk-on.

Daly said he heeds the advice of Lucibello and the rest of the Neumann coaching staff.

"Their word is going to be better than mine," he said. "Basically, we are still young as far as playing goes."

Daly would like to continue playing baseball in college as his coach did. The honor student is waiting to hear from Florida-based Northwood University, among others.

For now, Daly is striving to finish his high-school baseball career with a trip to the playoffs. As the squad prepared for yesterday’s game against West Catholic, he was still optimistic.

"We have to hit the ball a little better and play as a team," Daly said. "If we play as a team, we are not going to lose."

Catholic League
Southern Division Standings
(through April 21)

O’Hara 5-1

Roman 6-1

Carroll 5-2

Bonner 3-3

SJ Prep 3-3

Neumann 1-5

West 1-4

Kennedy-Kenrick 1-4

Remaining schedule

All games start at 3:30 unless otherwise indicated.