REPLAY: John Curtis uses two big innings to down Rummel to advance to semifinals

METAIRIE – Good teams always answer uprisings by opponents.

Every time Archbishop Rummel made noise, John Curtis answered with louder noise.

The Patriots parlayed a pair of three-run innings into a 7-4 victory over Rummel in the third and deciding game of the Division I quarterfinal series at Mike Miley Stadium Saturday in a game seen live at CrescentCitySports.com.

Tulane commitment Michael O’Brien pitched five innings, allowing just one hit and he tripled and doubled at the plate to pace the Patriots.

The Raiders struck first in the top of the first inning on a solo home run by LSU commit Mikey Ryan.

The Patriots answered with three runs in the bottom of the first inning as Tulane commit Michael O’Brien tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Delgado commit Logan O’Neill to tie the game 1-1. After a walk to Mason Despaux, Josh Eames doubled and Austin Ackel drilled a two-run single to give John Curtis a 3-1 lead.

The lead grew to 4-1 in the bottom of the third inning on a double by O’Neill and a sacrifice fly by Mason Despaux.

Rummel drew within a run in the top of the sixth, scoring twice without the benefit of a hit. Rhett Centanni walked, Josh Sterling was hit by a pitch and Anthony Mouney walked to load the bases. With two outs, Casey Avrard drew a bases loaded walk to plate a run and it was 4-2. Pinch-hitter Gavin Kennedy then reached on an error, scoring a second run to make it 4-3.

The Patriots did not blink, getting it back in the bottom of the sixth on a single by Degan Bruno, a double by O’Brien and a wild pitch, scoring Bruno to make it 5-3. O’Neill followed with a fielder’s choice grounder with Jason Curtis scoring on the throw home and O’Neill reaching safely and it was 6-3. A final run scored on a throwing error to make it 7-3.

Centanni homered in the seventh inning to account for the final margin.

Starter Brady Ramon took the loss for the Raiders (22-16-1).

John Curtis (21-11) advances to the semifinals in Hammond to face the winner of the series between No. 2 Brother Martin and No. 10 St. Augustine.

FINAL
AR 100 002 1 — 4 7 1, 10 LOB
JC 301 003 X — 7 9 3, 7 LOB
WP—Michael O’Brien (6-2)
LP—Brady Ramon (3-5)
Time of Game: 2:35
2B—Josh Eames, Logan O’Neill, Austin Ackel, Michael O’Brien
3B—Michael O’Brien
HR—Mikey Ryan (3), Rhett Centanni (6)