Keegan and Hajjar Lead Relentless Offensive Attack, Land Central Catholic Super Eight Final Berth

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Brockton, Mass. – Central Catholic’s dynamic duo of Dominic Keegan and Steve Hajjar made sure the Raiders quickly turned the page following Thursday night’s loss.

Keegan and Hajjar combined to go 7-for-10, with nine runs, four RBIs, and four extra base hits to lead No. 4 Central Catholic to a 16-9 win over No. 1 BC High in the Super Eight Semifinals on Saturday afternoon at Campanelli Stadium.

Central Catholic advances to the Super Eight Final against Franklin for the first time in program history. BC High finishes its season at 18-7.

In all the Raiders pounded out 21 hits, scoring multiple runs in six separate innings. 

“They swung it free and easy,” said Central Catholic coach Marc Pelletier. “We didn’t play with pressure and that was cool thing to watch — teenagers battling back after a tough loss against Franklin.”

Raiders’ starter Sean Thompson battled through 5.2 innings allowing four earned runs on five hits while fanning 10.

“This has been our goal ever since we were freshman,” said Hajjar. “We think we have the team to win it so we’re going to go out and give it our best shot.”

Central Catholic got on the board in the top of the first courtesy of the middle of the order. Keegan grounded a two out single up the middle and Hajjar lined an RBI double down the left field line to make it 1-0 Raiders. Moments later Michael Borrelli slapped an RBI single through the left side to put Central Catholic on top 2-0.

Two innings later, the heart of the Raiders order was at it again. 

The Vanderbilt bound catcher in Keegan lined a base hit to right before Hajjar belted an RBI triple into the left center field gap to give Central Catholic its third run. Hajjar crossed home on a wild pitch to make it 4-0.

“It was huge to pounce early,” said Keegan. “We know this time of the year every team we play can score runs so to jump on top got us comfortable.”

Central Catholic maintained a four run lead, 5-1, into the bottom of the sixth but a Luke Murphy three-run triple to left pulled BC High within one run. It looked as though BC High tied the game moments later, as a breaking ball got through Keegan’s legs and to the backstop.

The ball, however, bounced off the backstop and right to Keegan who flipped to reliever Jonathan Montanile to get Murphy at the plate.

Now ahead by just a run, the Raiders answered back.

With two on and one out, Borrelli hit a ground ball to first base that led to an errant throw into left field bringing home a run. Noah Lucier followed with an RBI double to right to make it 7-4 Raiders. Three batters later, with the bases loaded, Michael Lefebre lined a two-run single back through the box to put Central Catholic up 9-4.

Bobby DeMeo brought BC High back within 9-5 with a solo home run to right, but in the top of the eighth the Raiders put up a five spot highlighted by a Hajjar RBI double and a Lefebre two RBI hit to go up 14-5 and put the game out of reach.

Out of the nine spot, Lefebre finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs.

“We’re proud to come back [to Brockton] on Monday," said Pelletier. "We’re thrilled that we get to ride a yellow bus in 100-degree heat on Monday. We’ll represent again for sure.”