The Neumann-Goretti High School baseball team reeled in the PIAA 3A District 12 championship by defeating Philadelphia Academy Charter, 16-1, at LaSalle High School on June 2.
Sophomore Christian Cerone led the way with two hits and an RBI and senior Sal Laimo drove in three runs as Neumann-Goretti scored nine runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to close it out. Santino Pharma earned the win on the hill, striking out five.
With the victory, the Saints won their 13th straight city title and will begin their state tournament run on Monday against Trinity Catholic. The Saints are now 12-8 on the season after going 9-3 in the Philadelphia Catholic League.
Four Neumann-Goretti players received All-Catholic recognition. Seniors Joseph Brasky and Jamison Masino were both named First-Team All-Catholic while Sal Laimo received Second-Team honors and Evan McCoach received a Third-Team nod.
Brasky is hitting .321 on the season with nine RBIs and seven runs scored while Masino earned his spot as a pitcher, with a 0.80 ERA in 44 innings pitched (48 strikeouts).
Laimo has a .298 average with a team-best 21 runs scored and seven extra-base hits, including a pair of home runs.
McCoach, a sophomore, leads the Saints with 23 hits, four home runs and 16 RBIs while posting a .333 batting average.
