Rivalry’s Renewal Has Added Zest

One of the region’s most spirited rivalries returns to the baseball diamond today at 3:45 p.m. when Notre Dame High plays host to Crespi in the first meeting between the schools since 1988.

But for Notre Dame Coach Bob Mandeville, a graduate of Notre Dame and a veteran of the Celt-Knight rivalry, the import of today’s game runs deeper than a resumption of a tradition.

His Notre Dame team, at 3-2 in Mission League play, stands in fourth place behind St. Bernard (4-2), St. Paul (4-1) and Crespi (5-0). So today’s game is a chance for a double-whammy: to notch a win against an old foe and to stay afloat in the increasingly deepening waters of the league playoff race. The top three teams qualify for the Southern Section playoffs.

“We better be jacked up for this one,” Mandeville said. “Rivalry or no, if we can’t get jacked up, we’re in trouble.”

Notre Dame and Crespi tied for the Del Rey League title in 1988. Mandeville, who played at Notre Dame, remembers that the rivalry can raise performances to a higher level.

“It was some stiff competition back in 1980 when I graduated,” Mandeville said. “And just like when I was at school, all the players know all the players. Hey, Crespi brings out the best in us and we bring out the best in Crespi.”

Notre Dame asked for a stoppage of athletic events with Crespi after a flurry of off-the-field incidents between the schools. The cooling-off period started after the 1987-88 school year.

Add Crespi-Notre Dame: Crespi Coach Scott Muckey also cherishes his memories of coaching against Notre Dame and looks forward to the rivalry’s resumption. Muckey has said that sophomore Jeff Suppan (4-1) will start. Notre Dame will counter with either Eric Vellozzi (1-2) or Cary Wichmann (4-1), according to Mandeville.

The last time the teams met, according to Muckey, Crespi was in the midst of a five-game string in nine days because of rainouts. Crespi took an 8-0 lead, removed its starting pitcher, then watched as Notre Dame made it 8-7 in the seventh inning.

“We had to strike out their last guy with the tying run on second base,” he recalled with a chuckle.

No-hit surprise: Doug Maggiora’s no-hitter against visiting Quartz Hill on Monday would not have been that surprising had it come earlier in the season when the submarining Saugus right-hander was sporting an earned-run average in the 0.50 range.

But it was shocking considering his previous outings against Canyon and Palmdale.

Maggiora (6-0), who has won 17 consecutive games over the past two seasons, had allowed 10 hits and eight runs (six earned) in 2 2/3 innings of relief in a 14-12 victory over Canyon on April 5 and still earned a save.

Four days later, he gave up five hits and five runs (four earned) in 3 1/3 innings of relief against Palmdale but got the win in an 11-10 Centurion victory.