Crabtree & Avrard Lead Jays to a 1-0 Win Over Brother Martin

Scott Crabtree belly slides safely into third base after hitting a ball deep into right-center field for a triple.
View the Photo Gallery of the Jesuit – Brother Martin Game
Senior C.J. Avrard pitched a four-hit shutout and junior Scott Crabtree came up with a hatfull of hits, including a big RBI triple, to lead the Blue Jays to a 1-0 win over Brother Martin on Monday, March 31 at John Ryan Stadium.
Avrard survived a shaky start that included a walk, a hit, and a Crusader who was pinged by a pitch. But the Jays slipped out of the bases-loaded jam when shortstop Alex Galy made a great catch of a pop fly in shallow left-center field. Avrard pitched the entire game, finishing with a flourish by striking out all three batters in the top of the seventh inning. Up until then, he had only two strikeouts. Avrard is 5-0 on the mound so far this season with four of those wins shutouts.

Coach Joey Latino gives pitch signals to catcher Trent Forshag in Monday evening’s game against Brother Martin.
Crabtree, a lefty at the plate who throws right-handed from his left field position, accounted for three of Jesuit’s seven hits. In the fourth inning, senior Spencer Miller (RF) drew a walk and junior Trent Forshag (C) hit an infield grounder. The Crusaders took Miller out on a fielder’s choice allowing Forshag to reach first base. Freshman Nick Ray was sent in as a courtesy runner for Forshag. That’s when Crabtree uncorked a fast ball deep into right center field for a triple that easily scored Ray.
Crabtree also hit two singles in his other at-bats while the team’s remaining four hits, all singles, came off the bats of Miller, senior Blake Baker (2B), junior Dan Edmund (1B), and junior Harrison Daste (CF).
“I’m very pleased with how we played tonight,” said Coach Joey Latino. “It was a great effort against a great team. Crabtree had a big hit and it held up.”
The Blue Jays (17-3 overall; 2-0 district) return to John Ryan Stadium on Tuesday, April 1 for a district game against Holy Cross. First pitch is 7 p.m.
Students and faculty from the two schools are admitted with their IDs. Season passes will be accepted. Otherwise, admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children (6-11).
View the Varsity Baseball Schedule
N.O. Advocate: Jesuit’s C.J. Avrard blanks Brother Martin, 1-0
Nola.com: Scott Crabtree, C.J. Avrard do just enough as Jesuit slides past top-ranked Brother Martin
Galleries
Baseball vs. Brother Martin, Monday, March 31, 2014
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Harrison Daste hits this pitch for a single.
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As the stadium empties, the Blue Jays and the Crusaders meet on the field after the game. With the win, the Jays are 2-0 in district and 17-3 overall. Jesuit plays Holy Cross on Tuesday, April 1 at John Ryan Stadium with first pitch at 7 p.m.
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As Blake Baker and Alex Galy go airborne, the Blue Jays empty the dugout and swarm pitcher C.J. Avrard.
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Blue Jay fans in the grandstand are thrilled when C.J. Avrard strikes out the final three Crusaders.
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Courtesy runner Nick Ray is caught, picked off first base. When Ray sees that second base is blocked, he turns back and tries unsuccessfully to get back to where he once belonged.
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Shortstop Alex Galy (4) appears to be telling his teammate Blake Baker, "Wake me up when this game ends!" But we know better. The two infielders rarely miscommunicate on a play and go about their business with an uncanny sixth sense..
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Blake Baker steals second base and is easily safe when the throw from the catcher is a high zinger that is intercepted by the shortstop (10).
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Blake Baker is safe at first base after hitting a hot potato that couldn't be handled by the Crusaders.
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Suicide without the squeeze: With one out and one run already on the board in the fourth inning, designated hitter Stephen Sigle swats a grounder to second base. Scott Crabtree, on third base following his triple, is sent home. But the Crusaders ignore Sigle and fire the throw to home plate where the catcher slaps the tag on Crabtree.
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Scott Crabtree belly slides safely into third base after hitting a fast ball deep into right-center field for a triple and a ribbie.
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Harrison Daste dives back to first base after catching the attention of the Crusaders' pitcher.
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A crowd estimated at 900-1,000 were on hand to watch the showdown at John Ryan Stadium between Jesuit and Brother Martin on Monday evening, March 31.
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Alex Galy manages to snag this Dying Quail, much to the relief of Blake Baker (3) and Scott Crabtree.
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Scott Crabtree is forced out at second base on this double-play by the Crusaders.
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Scott Crabtree enjoyed a productive night at the plate, accounting for three of Jesuit's seven hits. In between a pair of knocks, Crabtree wedged in a triple that scored a runner from first base.
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Junior Harrison Daste catches this well-hit fly ball to center field. For about 45 minutes after the start of the game, a brutal sun had players squinting to follow the ball.
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This Crusader is trapped between bases when C.J. Avrard picks him off with a neat move to Dan Edmund at first base. There is nowhere for the Crusader to go but second base. He slides hands-first, but Edmund throws to Alex Galy, who has the ball firmly in his glove for an easy tag, while Blake Baker backs him up.
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Coach Joey Latino gives pitch signals to catcher Trent Forshag.
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Alex Galy makes a valiant attempt to catch this hard hit grounder, managing to put a glove on it as left-fielder Scott Crabtree moves into the play.
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As C.J. Avrard watches from the mound, shortstop Alex Galy snags this ground ball and throws to Dan Edmund at first base for the out.
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Scott Crabtree has to back pedal to catch this fly ball in left field.
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C.J. Avrard allowed the Crusaders only four scattered hits and went the distance of seven innings in pitching his fourth shutout of the season.