WHEREAS, The Prep baseball team won the Catholic League Title for the second year in a row by defeating Monsignor Bonner 5-1 on May 27, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Going into the Championship, the Prep was ranked No. 3 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, while their opponents, the Friars, were ranked No. 4; and
WHEREAS, The Hawks totaled eight hits. In the third inning, a Bonner error led to three unearned runs. Senior Brett Tiagwad, a second baseman and leadoff man, and Senior Aaron Haas scored on Jeff Lynch’s single to left-center field; and
WHEREAS, The Prep’s final two runs came courtesy of second baseman Brett Tiagwad, who is bound for Saint Joseph’s University and finished his career with 100-plus hits; and
WHEREAS, Kyle Mullen, a junior at the Prep, pitched a great game and only allowed four hits. Senior Dennis Murphy was the catcher who called the pitches throughout the game; and
WHEREAS, Overall,
RBI singles by Aaron Haas, Jeff Lynch, and Brett Tiagwad fueled the offense, and several stellar defensive plays, including a running grab in centerfield by Dan Turner and a big pick by Haas at first base protected the lead; and
WHEREAS, The Hawks were coached by Head Coach Chris Rupertus, Pitching Coach Bob Blake, First Base Coach Ed Turner and Third Base Coach Dennis Hart; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Rupertus commented on the win saying, “Because we’ve been there, you might think it’s not as special. But it’s a different year, different team, and in the end I’m thrilled to death. In April, we were still clawing, scrapping, overcoming. We began to get better in the beginning of May and … really, it’s a shame the season’s over because now we’re playing our best;” and
WHEREAS, The Hawk’s championship win gives St. Joseph’s Preparatory their fourth title earned in 1924, 1925, 2007 and 2008; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize and congratulate Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School’s Baseball Team on the occasion of winning the 2008 Catholic League Baseball Title.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Head Coach Chris Rupertus and St. Joseph’s Preparatory 2008 Baseball Team as evidence of the sincere sentiments and recognition of this legislative body.
End