(cover photo of Bonner via Sirr Production)

UPPER CHICHESTER, PA — The #6 Monsignor Bonner Friars stunned the #1 La Salle Explorers 14-1 in a Philadelphia Catholic League semifinal at Maplezone Sports Institute on Friday afternoon, punching their ticket to the PCL championship and a shot to secure a state tournament berth with a relentless offensive onslaught.

Bonner wasted no time, striking in the first against La Salle starter and Fordham recruit Declan Cawley. Michael Coleman walked, Ryan Friel singled, and Gavin DiRita crushed a three-run homer to right, making it 3-0. Cole Romano’s double later scored Jack Redding, pushing the lead to 4-0.

In the second, Joey Graziani tripled, scoring on Sergio Hernandez’s sac fly (5-0). Bonner’s bats stayed hot in the third against reliever and Old Dominion recruit Chris Cavalcante, as Redding’s single scored Friel, who doubled (6-0).

In the fourth, a balk scored Jack Brown, who doubled, an error by the third baseman plated Coleman, and Redding’s groundball scored Friel (9-1). Bonner capped the rout in the sixth against William & Mary recruit Jack Pye, with Romano’s single scoring Redding and Coleman, and Graziani’s single plating Romano and Owen Lockhart (14-1).

Bonner’s Johnny Ortegae, a La Salle University commit, was sharp over 2.2 innings, allowing no hits and 1 run on 3 walks and a HBP, striking out 3. Danny Buckton then came in to relieve, surrendering just 1 hit—a Caden Schmidt single. Cawley took the loss for La Salle, allowing 5 earned runs over 2 innings. La Salle, coming off a 6-2 win over Devon Prep, managed only 1 run despite loading the bases in the third with one out.

Bonner, who upset Father Judge 5-3, advances to face Archbishop Ryan in the PCL championship on Saturday at 11:00 at Rutgers-Camden University. The Friars, who had lost in the state semifinals four years running, now have a chance to break through.

Bonner needs to win this game to advance to the PIAA 6A State Tournament. Should Bonner lose, La Salle will get that 6A spot because it is a combination of playoff and regular season success.