Pitching And Hitting Keep Knights Rolling

Knights Continue to Roll, Win Fifth Straight

Consistency continues to aid the Rustin Golden Knights baseball team, which is why this 2012 crew, consisting of a mixture of youthful and veteran talent remain unbeaten on the season.

When the bats go cold, tactful pitching is executed, and on days the pitching may not be there, the bats come out in full force.

On Wednesday afternoon it was a mixture of both aspects of the game ending in a dominant 12-3 victory over Oxford, who Rustin has flat out dominated since becoming a baseball program in 2006.

Doug Frank, the third starter in the Golden Knights starting pitching rotation went the distance giving up just three runs over seven strong innings on the hill.
Below: Doug Frank On The Mound Vs Oxford

For four year starting third basemen Kevin Jewitt, it was a day to remember in his high school career and achieved an accolade that not many players can claim they accomplished.

Jewitt, who came onto the scene as a freshman, recorded his 100^th career hit in a gold and navy uniform, and did it in style by bashing a homerun.

“It was just another at bat to me, I wasn’t really concerned about reaching 100 career hits. I’ve loved every moment I’ve ever had as a Knight. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys to be surrounded by day in, and day out” Jewitt said.

Jewitt will be attending Villanova University on a baseball scholarship in the fall of 2012, and is arguably the best baseball player to ever come through Bayard Rustin high school.

Quite the praise for the versatile third basemen, who has been used around the whole infield during his four seasons at Rustin. Jewitt has seen time playing at first base, shortstop, and now third base.

Matt Gosik, also joined the bash party by smashing a line drive homerun to left field virtually putting the game out of reach, and sending Oxford home with a loss on their home turf.

For freshman Frank Siderio, it was also a day to embrace. Siderio got his varsity career underway and recorded his very first career hit.

By moving to 5-0, the Golden Knights are currently ranked number two in the Pennsylvania Division AAAA Baseball standings behind Butler who sits at 6-0 according to MaxPreps.com.

As of April 5^th, The Philadelphia Inquirer currently has Rustin ranked number six in southeastern Pennsylvania.

“It (the rankings) feels great right now, but we have a lot of work left to do to keep it up” Senior pitcher Jack Fritz said. “ The goal is a state championship and its good to see we are starting to get some positive recognition”.  Fritz added.

Recognition is something this baseball program has not received in recent years, but that looks to now be changing. Behind head coach Brad Harkins and assistants Brian Lindros and Lee Brandon, the team is clearly starting to take notice and turn heads in the high school baseball community.

Rustin will enjoy this undefeated record heading into the weekend, but will quickly put it behind them when they get back in action on Monday afternoon. The squad, full of flaming hot bats and consistent pitching will travel to Avon Grove. First pitch is slated for 3:30 PM.

Chase Senior can be reached at chase.senior3@gmail.com