Christian Central Academy rolls to baseball crown

Christian Central Academy's baseball team beat DeSales of Niagara Falls, 13-0, to win the Amherst Parochial Division. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: first row - Billy Chapple, Tyler Banks, Nathaniel Jacobs, Luke Lattimer, Peter Kazmierczak; second row - Matthew Goszewski, Jack Ranallo, Mark Goszewski, Zach Stone, Jake Cercone, Jon Whited, Tim Coulter; third row - coaches Tom Ranallo, Tim Stone and Neal Turvey III.

Christian Central Academy's baseball team, a program built from scratch just four years ago, won the Amherst Parochial Division by convincingly defeating DeSales of Niagara Falls, 13-0.

DeSales had a rough time trying to keep pace with CCA's timely hitting and solid pitching, as the Crusaders won the Amherst Divisional Championship.

The Crusaders were led by co-captains Mark Goszewski and Jack Ranallo, who split the shutout victory by pitching a two-hitter while striking out six. Goszewski earned his fourth consecutive starting victory of the season.

CCA jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. The big bats were led by Jake Cercone's two doubles and two long sacrifice flies, Ranallo also went 3 for 3 with a double, and Peter Kazmierczak and Jon Whited both added two clutch hits to the cause. Zach Stone and Nathaniel Jacobs both made great plays in the field for the defense.

The team stormed out of the gates by winning its first eight games before falling to the defending Parochial Champions from St. Benedict's in their final game of the regular season. The Crusaders finished with an 8-1 record.

CCA brought home its first big-diamond baseball division championship in its brief existence.

"It has been an extremely successful season thus far," said coach Tom Ranallo. "We're very proud of our boys in blue, as well as our top-notch coach whom we recruited from New Era Baseball - Neal Turvey III."

"I am excited about the direction of the baseball sports program. It's great to see that CCA is using its sports field and new Emmanuel Athletic Facility to our students' benefit," added board president Robert Zima.

Next up, the Crusaders will take the field in the Western New York Parochial Playoffs.