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Lembo's huge day propels DePaul
The DePaul Spartans notched a big win to get back to .500 and also derailed a three-game win streak for Passaic Valley with a 12-2 victory on Wednesday.
Mike Lembo turned in a gem for DePaul just when it needed it most, striking out the first seven batters he faced en route to a nine-strikeout, two-hit, two-run effort over five innings.
The Spartans flew under the radar last season, going 6-10 in regular-season play before a magical run through the Passaic County Tournament. But this year’s squad returns seven starters and has been getting every team's best shot.
“We’ve played a really tough schedule thus far, some close games but I think we know how good we can be and we’re confident we can get this going in the right direction,” said Lembo.
Junior John Scarr is a part of a daunting Spartans lineup that put up crooked numbers in all but one turn at bat and registered 17 hits on the day. Called a “five-tool catcher” by his coach, Scarr had a monster day with bat including a couple clutch hits and two runs batted in.
“We just wanted to get back to .500,” said Scarr. “It’s nice to have a big day at the plate but today was all about getting a win, this is probably the most complete game we’ve played and that’s what I’m most happy about.”
Normally the team’s second baseman, Lembo has been thrust into action as a pitcher in the team’s last three games. Even with a tired arm the senior turned in a sparkler on the mound and managed a couple huge hits at the dish. Lembo got the scoring started with an RBI single and broke it open with a two run single in the fourth.
Scarr would chase home Lembo with an RBI triple, a shot down the line that the surprisingly speedy catcher was able to leg out. Scarr would later score on a Nick Fondacaro single to put Passaic Valley securely in the rearview at 7-0.
“I knew from the first pitch he threw that he had his good stuff,” said Scarr, “and then to go out and get it done at the plate, huge game, huge game by Lembo.”
With newfound pitching depth and a lineup that can flat out rake, DePaul will again be a serious force to be reckoned with come tournament time.
Contact John Quirk at jquirk@cablevision.com. Follow him on Twitter: @QuirkMedia
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