Carter’s Catches, Blanton’s Bat Spark Mater Dei Victory

Center fielder Cale Carter provided the spark with two game-saving catches and shortstop Bill Blanton provided the power with a three-run homer in the seventh inning of Mater Dei’s 10-6 victory over Servite in an Angelus League game Saturday.

Servite (9-7, 3-3) had a 6-2 lead entering the fifth inning and appeared to be a good bet to sweep three league games against Mater Dei for the first time. But Mater Dei scored five runs in the fifth to take a 7-6 lead, setting the stage for Carter’s defensive play in the sixth.

Cliff Mierendorf opened the Servite sixth with a long drive to the gap in right-center that sent Carter and right fielder Dave Gonzalez racing toward the fence.

Carter and Gonzalez collided but Carter managed to hang on to the ball as he went sprawling. Carter’s second catch was the play of the game. Chris Honikel drove the ball to right-center and Carter leaned over the fence to make the catch. Mater Dei turned the play into a double play because Josh Kliner was rounding second when Carter made the improbable catch.

“Those two catches were the ballgame,” Servite Coach Mike McNary said. “The second catch was really something to see. He had to go around the fence from center to right to make that catch.”

Mater Dei Coach Bob Ickes credited Carter for igniting his young team in a must-win situation for the Monarchs (7-7, 3-2) if they hope to contend for the league title.

“We needed that,” Ickes said. “We haven’t played with this type of emotion all year.”

Blanton’s three-run homer in the seventh capped the victory. Blanton hit a 3-2 fastball over the left-field fence. Relief pitcher Louis Cox retired the side in the bottom of the inning to end the game.

Afterward, Ickes said Mater Dei’s title hopes will hinge on three-game series with St. John Bosco and Bishop Amat in the final two weeks of league play.

“We’re playing them three times in a week because of earlier rainouts,” he said.