Agony of defeat

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Jaws dropped and eyes widened as fans watched the Catholic League baseball championship game in bewilderment.
Final score: St. Joe’s Prep, 19, Archbishop Ryan, 0.
The championship was supposed to have been a showdown of the top two teams in the league. Everyone was expecting an intense game between the Hawks and the Raiders. Instead, they got the most lopsided postseason score in league history, topping the 2002 finals when Archbishop Carroll stomped La Salle, 16-0.
And everyone seemed to have the same question: What happened?
The Raiders had been tough for the previous two months. They finished first in the Catholic League Northern Division with a 16-5 record. They had one of the top pitchers in the city. They went into the championship game on top of the world. By the second inning, they were 17 runs down.
So what went wrong?
"It just wasn’t our day," said Ryan shortstop Nick Ferdinand. "Hats off to St. Joe’s — they played a great game."
"You have to give credit where credit is due," added coach Ron Gerhart. "And St. Joe’s has some great hitters."
The Hawks looked good from the first pitch. They quickly scored four runs in the first inning, then got 13 more in the second. They amassed 17 hits and closed out the game after knocking in another run in the third and one more in the fifth.
Ferdinand wasn’t about to deny that such a swift and potent power surge can take some fight out of a team.
"It’s tough to stay motivated in a game like this," said Ferdinand. "I make sure I keep a positive attitude. But it’s very difficult, especially when you look up at the scoreboard and it’s 19-0. I’m not really used to losing, so it hurt. We really wanted this one."
Most of the damage was inflicted in the second inning, when the Hawks had eight hits — three of them doubles — five walks and two hit batters. Seventeen batters went to the plate and produced 13 runs.
"I think we were more in shock than anything," said Gerhart. "We knew St. Joe’s was a good team, but we thought it would be a competitive game."
Yes, the scoreboard told the bitter truth on that day. But the Raiders can find redemption in everything they accomplished from April through the Memorial Day weekend to reach that game with St. Joe’s.
"It felt great to make it this far," said Ferdinand. "We worked really hard since day one and it’s a shame to end the season like this. But there’s not much you can do except tip your hat to St. Joe’s.
"Losing was horrible, but watching them run out when they won was the hardest part," he continued. "That hurt me. But they did deserve it. I’d definitely like to play them again, though. This just wasn’t our day."
If the Raiders can duplicate their success next season, Ferdinand and his mates might enjoy a happier outcome. Until then, the junior will have plenty of time on the diamond to prepare, thanks to the Lower Bucks Bandits, a travel team that will compete in various tournaments throughout the summer.
Ferdinand has been playing competitive baseball since he was 8. Now 17, the Bensalem resident has gained plenty of experience and, in the process, plenty of versatility. Ferdinand can stand anywhere on the field with confidence. You usually can spot the 6-foot-1 athlete at shortstop, though he did close out a few games on the mound for the Raiders.
"I pitch, play infield and left — I play all over," said Ferdinand. "I used to like outfield, but I’m starting to really like shortstop. You’re staying active the whole game. That’s what’s so fun about the position — you always have something to do."
He had plenty to do this season for the Raiders. In addition to his defensive skills, Ferdinand hit five doubles and five triples for Ryan.
And next year, he plans to do even more.
"Next season we’ll be a young team, but I think that we’ll be very competitive," he said. "The goal right now is just to get to the playoffs . . . anything after that would be great. I’m kind of embarrassed right now, and I kind of want to get that off my shoulders. But next year we’ll start fresh."
When late summer rolls around, Ferdinand will turn his attention to football at Ryan, specifically as a wide receiver. Last season he caught 52 passes for 799 yards, had five interceptions on defense, and stacked up 72 points for the Raiders.
"I like playing football but I love playing baseball," said Ferdinand. "Baseball is more my preference, but I’ve been playing football all of my life."
With football season rapidly approaching and his summer baseball league underway, Ferdinand has a lot on his plate.
"Kids are working out right now for the football season," he said. "I try to go as often as possible. I’m team captain next year and I want to be there, so I’m trying to work out a schedule where I’m there in the morning and can work out with the team, and then go to the baseball games later in the day.
"We’ll see what happens," he continued. "I’m going to a lot of football camps this summer, too. The schedules might contradict, but I’ll work it out."
With his senior season, of course, come more thoughts about his future. Ferdinand prefers to enjoy the moment for now.
"I am keeping my options open," he said. "Nothing is definite. We’ll see what happens. Right now I’m in baseball mode, but I got to try to put this loss behind me and work toward next year. I’m looking forward to it.
"I like playing football in the fall," he added. "It keeps me not too focused on one sport. But I do love baseball — the team effort, the clutch situations when you have to come through . . . the whole atmosphere is great." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com