Bishop Ireton got a big first win over Gonzaga, 3-2, following a 11-0 stinker with Paul VI, then endured a 4-hour wet conditions delay on Saturday before umpires declared the field unplayable.
The Panthers came to Frank Mann Field with hot bats. Paul VI scored three in the first, extended the margin to 7-0 in the third while the Cardinal bats were largely silent in the lopsided affair.
Behind opening day starter Kyle Guzik, the Cardinals rebounded against Gonzaga’s Eagles. Tossing a complete game for the win, the clubs battled 1-1 into the sixth inning. Gonzaga scratched out a run to take a 2-1 lead only to see the home team counterattack in the both half of the sixth for a pair of runs. It was all Guzik would need to deny Gonzaga in the 7th and earn his second win of the season.
The winning rally culminated with first baseman Matt Bardak singling home the the tying run, then Mike Commeree hit a towering double to deep center field to plate Bardak with the game winner.
Saturday Bishop Ireton travelled to Bishop McNamara for an afternoon matinee. The grounds crew at PG County Boys’ and Girls Club Field worked until nearly 3 hours after the scheduled start before umpires declared the game field unplayable and the Cardinals returned to Alexandria, still 1-1 in the WCAC and 2-2 over all.
Monday the Cardinals head to Fairfax for a rematch with PVI’s Panthers, first pitch is set for 6 pm.