LaRocca's pitching keys St. Anthony's win

This was a collision of the haves and the hads. In a league that was believed to have been up for grabs, St. Anthony's has seized it and owned it. St. Dominic, a force last year, has suffered the effects of losing its best players and has been ravaged by injuries.

The game's result, a 13-1 St. Anthony's win in five innings, was merely the prologue for the teams' back stories.

The Friars have managed to rebuild on the fly despite returning only one starter from last season's squad, which lost to St. Dominic in the CHSAA semifinals. There's such a wealth of depth that they were able to rest sterling starter Michelle Carbone and have sophomore Amanda LaRocca, a first-year varsity player, take the circle.

"Michelle had pitched two days in a row," coach Mike Massa said. "It's a luxury to have two girls this capable."

The pitcher faltered a bit in the bottom of the first when the Bayhawks got their run. Molly Geary blooped a single over short with one out, stole second, moved to third on Victoria Lane's single and came home on a wild pitch.

But the Friars (14-0) answered immediately and resoundingly, tallying five runs in the second. They took the lead when, with runners at first and second, Katie Costanzo dropped a slow-rolling bunt toward third that was fielded but thrown into rightfield.

"It was good seeing them bomb the ball," said LaRocca, who allowed six hits, walked two and struck out five in her third start.

SEE PHOTOSSt. Anthony's 13, St. Dominic 1

St. Anthony's went up 8-1 in the third and added five in the fifth. Jillian Raimo had three RBIs and Marilyn Freeman, Joanna Chalifoux and Carbone, playing shortstop, each drove in two.

"This is exciting for us," said Chalifoux, one of nine Friars in their first varsity season. "We're both different teams from last year."

St. Dominic (3-9) lost standouts Isabella Corrao and Brittany Anghel, both of whom transferred. And this season's cast has been decimated by injuries. Alexa Serrano is recovering from wrist surgery; Taylor Lubrano has a displaced meniscus; Lane had ankle surgery, and Megan Moran tore her left ACL.

"But the girls have kept their heads up," Bayhawks coach Mike Gordek said. "There'll be something bright at the end of this tunnel. There's got to be."