Saints March to final
By Norwich Bulletin
BRISTOL -- They might have been missing their coach and one of their biggest bats before this one was over, but the important thing for members of the St. Bernard High School baseball team was that the season isn't over yet.
The Saints overcame some adversity and Trinity Catholic at the same time as they knocked off the Crusaders, 4-2, to advance to the Class S state championship game against Northwest Catholic at Yale Field at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
"It's just an unbelievable feeling," Kyle Brahm said. "We're going to graduate (Sunday), too, so this is going to be a pretty good weekend."
"We're very happy," St. Bernard coach Mike Garvie said. "It just shows how tough these kids are, they overcame adversity, put their best foot forward and got hits and scored runs."
Garvie wasn't close by to see that happen as he was banished to the left-field fence after an argument in the third inning when the Crusaders (16-10) scored both runs.
A ground ball touched off the argument as Trinity Catholic had runners at second and third and one out. An infield ground ball was thrown home, but the throw eluded catcher Dan Eagan. As he tracked it down, the first run scored and the second run was coming around.
According to Garvie, the Crusaders players had now exited their dugout and were interfering with his catcher's ability not only to get to the ball, but to see what was going on. The second run came around to score and the player who hit the ground ball also came around.
After Garvie protested the interference, the umpires agreed to send the third runner back to third base, but allowed the two runs to stand and that didn't sit well with the St. Bernard coach.
Ben Nossek wasn't far behind. He was ejected after getting frustrated about a strike call.
Tyler Turgeon started the game-winning rally in the bottom of the sixth for the top-seeded Saints (22-2) with a double. Ryan Brahm followed with a bloop single to right to tie the game as it scored Turgeon.
"It's always nice when Tyler comes through," Kyle Brahm said. "And then my brother, Ryan, who came in for Ben, was pumped and got that big single."
"It's always a big step to make it into the finals," Garvie said.
