Panthers Continue Postseason Roll

The Johnston High School Panthers varsity baseball squad overcame an injury and withstood a seventh-inning rally to defeat the Juanita Sanchez Complex Cavaliers, 6-4, on May 26 at Johnston Memorial Park.

Junior Gian Bianchi picked up the win for No. 1 JHS after leaving the game with a lower-leg contusion.

“My mind right now is on Gian,” said DeMeo following the game. “I’m glad we won, but I think the celebration is down a little bit because we don’t know the status of [Bianchi].”

The right-hander hobbled to the dugout late in the game and did not return for the Panthers. Johnston held on to win, however, and improved to 2-0 in the postseason.

Ryan Geraghty led the Panthers to victory with two hits Thursday, including a first-inning home run to left-center field. The catcher also walked and scored to help JHS pile up three more runs in the third inning.

“He doesn’t swing out of the strike zone,” DeMeo said. “When he gets there, he’s zoned in, and when you put it over the middle of the plate like today, he’s not going to miss it.”

The Panthers carried a 4-0 advantage into the fourth inning Thursday, and led 6-1 after five innings.

Sophomore Chris Pistacchio chipped in with a single and a stolen base, Greg Doutre added an RBI-double and Nick Loffredo tacked on two runs with a single to center field.

After Bianchi issued a free pass to begin the sixth inning, Juanita’s Marvic Gomez stepped in with Luis Fajardo at first. Gomez hammered a one-hopper toward the mound, and the ball collided with Bianchi’s left calf. Bianchi recovered to retire Gomez, then dropped to the grass, clutching his leg.

DeMeo said during a phone interview on May 27 that Bianchi had suffered a severe bruise and was on crutches, but had reported to school on Friday.

"We're hoping, if he's ready, that we can use him on Sunday," DeMeo explained.

Senior third baseman Dan De Simone took the hill in relief of his fallen teammate, hoping to protect the Panthers’ bulge. He finished the sixth, but needed help from Steven Perfetto to secure the victory.

“I think Danny pitched a good game, coming into a tough spot,” DeMeo said after the contest. “And Perfetto — for a sophomore to come in and throw gas like he did was excellent.”

The Cavaliers plated three in the seventh, but Perfetto picked up two strikeouts to end the game with the tying run at the plate.

The Panthers are scheduled to return to Memorial Park on May 28, with a chance to lock up a regional tournament title.