HS baseball: St. Peter’s claims school’s first-ever CHSAA Archdiocesan crown (photos)

St. Peter's junior southpaw hurler Christopher Laieta delivers a pitch. (Staten Island Advance/Kara Buzga)
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  • Eddie Mayrose/Special to the Advance

St. Peter’s rode the dominant pitching of junior southpaw Christopher Laieta and an airtight infield defense to its first-ever New York CHSAA Archdiocesan baseball championship in a 4-0 blanking of Iona Prep Friday night at Fordham University, the Bronx.

It was the second playoff victory over top-seeded Iona for the Eagles, who will face the Brooklyn-Queens champion next weekend in a three-game series to determine the CHSAA city champion.

“We’ve played like that all season,” said Eagles head coach Bobby Glennerster, whose squad was sporting new black, yellow and royal blue uniforms with the words ‘Brighton Boys’ for the school which hails from New Brighton. “The defense has been phenomenal all year. We encourage our pitchers to pitch to contact because our defense is so good.”

Laieta needed that defense in the second inning, the only one in which Iona was able to mount a threat. After a walk and a hit batter, the Gaels had runners on first and second with no one out, prompting a mound visit by Glennerster.

“I told him (Laieta) to mix it up,” said Glennerster. “Throw strikes and trust your defense.”

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. St. Peter's Pitcher Christopher Laieta (10). (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Jack Kehoe (38) safe at third. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Jack Kehoe (38) at third. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Nicholas Silvestro (5) (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Jack kehoe (38) safe at third. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Joe Mennella (26) at bat. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Johnny Baker (44). (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Ty Mainolfi at bat. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Vincent Grimaldi (Catcher) congratulating Christopher Laieta (Pitcher). (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Christopher Laieta (10). (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. First Baseman Christopher Villalona (22) tagging out the runner. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Vincent Grimaldi catching. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Nicholas Rogers (7) (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Ty Mainolfi (4) at first base. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Steven Martinez (27) waiting for his pitch. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Christopher D'Addessa (35) coming in to score a run. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Christopher Villalona (22) (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Jack Duffy (2) (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Christopher Laieta (10). (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Christopher D'Addessa (35) (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Vincent Grimaldi Catcher. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Christopher Laieta (10) pitching. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Steven Martinez (27) (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. Steve Martinez (27) (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Scenes from CHSAA Archdiocesan Baseball Championship Game: St. Peters Eagles vs. Iona Prep Gaels, at Fordham University's Houlihan Park, on Friday May 26, 2023. (Kara Buzga for Staten Island Advance).

Laieta and the Eagles responded. First baseman Chris Bedford made a beautiful play; pouncing on a bunt and getting the lead runner at third before Laieta induced a grounder to third where Joe Mennella started an around-the-horn double play to get the Eagles out of the inning.

In the meantime, St. Peter’s was patient at the plate, working deep into counts and elevating the pitch count of Iona starter Marcel Kulik.

“That’s something we talk about all the time, not swinging to just swing and good pitch selection,” said Glennerster. “That is part of our game plan every game.”

“That’s part of my game and our game,” said Eagle second baseman Ty Mainolfi, who was 2 for 2 with two walks. “Get quality at-bats, raise the pitch count and get their starter out of the game early.”

St. Peter's celebrates its CHSAA Archdiocesan crown after beating Iona Prep. (Staten Island Advance/Kara Buzga)

The Eagles, who left runners in scoring position in each of the second, third and fourth innings, finally broke through in the fifth inning. Mainolfi drew a one-out walk, bringing Mennella to the plate.

“It was a 3-2 count and I knew I wasn’t going to strikeout,” said the senior. “He hung a curveball and I crushed it. One of the best swings in my entire life.”

Mennella drilled a double to deep left-center that sent Mainolfi home with the game’s first run. After three walks and a groundout, St. Peter’s found themselves with a 2-0 lead as left-fielder Steve Martinez stepped into the box with two outs. Martinez quickly fell behind in the count before delivering a back-breaking blow to Iona.

“That was a big spot,” said Martinez. “With an 0-2 count. I just tried to shorten my swing and he made a mistake.”

Martinez laced a single into center that plated two; the second on a beautiful slide by Jack Kehoe, who just beat the tag.

From there, it was all about Laieta, who struck out the side in the sixth; getting each guy to chase a wicked curveball that had baffled Iona all night.

“Usually, that’s my pitch.,” said Laieta. “When it’s on, I feel like I can tell you it’s coming and you still won’t be able to hit it.”

“When he’s like that he’s very tough,” said Glennerster.

So are the Eagles.

NOTES: Laieta struck out eight and allowed just three hits in the complete game while, amazingly, never allowing a ball to leave the infield ... The Eagles were very aware of just how significant their first championship is. “To leave a mark like this on the school is an amazing feeling,” said Mainolfi ... Glennerster cited his team’s resilience as one of the reasons his Eagles made the title run and pointed to a tough spot in the middle of the season as the starting point. “We lost four in a row then were able to bounce back,” the coach recalled. “It wasn’t one specific game. At some point, everything just fell into place. The lineup, pitching, even their confidence levels all just came around. Everyone seemed to find a rhythm. During a run like we’re on, you obviously have to be good, you have to have a little luck on your side and the ball has to go your way. It’s just been a great few weeks.” ... St. Peter’s will face one of Monsignor McClancy, St. Francis Prep or Archbishop Molloy, all currently playing in the Brooklyn-Queens semifinals, in next week’s CHSAA city championship series.

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