Southern Section Baseball Playoffs : Cirillo Is Wild But Has Enough to Lead Providence

Providence High, ranked No. 1 among Southern Section Small Schools, defeated Villanova Prep in the quarterfinals Friday, 9-4. The Pioneers (21-3) will meet Windward, an 8-6 winner over Leffington Christian, in the semifinal round on Tuesday.

Jeff Cirillo went the distance and struck out nine. He walked 10. He pitched his way out of several innings after displaying control problems, Providence Coach Marc Saraceno said.

“He got into some trouble but he reached back and came through,” Saraceno said.

Cirillo (11-2) had a no-hitter entering the fifth inning. Cirillo, who finished the regular season batting .521, was 2 for 4 with 2 runs batted in.

Adam Grant, 8 for 10 in the playoffs, was 2 for 3 with two doubles while teammates Kevin Miller was 3 for 3, and Tony Ross was 2 for 4.

Villanova (17-5-1) stranded 11 runners.