York knocks out defending champ Nazareth

Updated: July 20, 2011 10:52PM

The Nazareth batters were not prepared for York rising senior Greg Castello – at least not his unconventional delivery.

The Dukes’ right-handed sidewinder allowed the top-seeded and defending Phil Lawler Summer Classic champion Roadrunners two hits in prevailing 2-1 in a pitchers’ duel with Nazareth southpaw Ryan Marske.

The 13th-seeded Dukes (13-17) continued their improbable run with the Fenwick Regional semifinal win in the summer state playoffs and will play St. Joseph in the Thursday finale in River Forest.

“I kind of figured that as the No. 1 seed (Nazareth) had a solid pitching staff,” Castello said of his expectations. “I have never been able to throw over the top. My fastball was really running.”

Pat Houlihan and Tim DalPorto were the lone Nazareth batters to solve Castello, but their respective first- and fourth-inning singles proved innocuous.

“(Castello) was one of the few pitchers I’ve seen (throw across his body),” DalPorto said. “Definitely (locating) the release point was the most difficult aspect (of facing him). The movement of the ball with that arm angle is difficult to pick up.”

“After the first couple of innings (against Castello), we knew it was going to be tough (to score),” said Marske.

Nazareth (24-3) broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth.

Tim Getty and Mike Noesen were both plunked by Castello offerings to begin the inning, and the former scored following a Mike Stromberg sacrifice and Kyle Piotrowski groundout.

“Except for the two hit batsmen, I had command of all my pitches,” Castello said.

Both pitchers went the distance, with neither issuing a base on balls; Castello fanned seven, and Marske struck out four.

But the Dukes, who collected seven hits on the scorching hot afternoon at the Priory, finally solved Marske in the top of the sixth.

River Pitlock, the Dukesí leadoff batter, opened with a double, and Jake Rseszutko rifled another shot for a base hit.

Peter Daugherty and Anthony Santos were credited with RBI groundouts as the Dukes executed masterfully to take the lead for good.

“Their kids did a good job,” Nazareth coach Lee Milano said of the Dukes’ execution.

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