Bishop O’Connell had knocked off Washington Catholic Athletic Conference rival Bishop Ireton twice by one run during the regular season. The Knights got a taste of their own medicine during the first round of the WCAC playoffs at home on Monday.
The Cardinals avenged the two earlier losses, edging O’Connell, 6-5, to advance into the quarterfinals.
With a 14-10 record, the Knights will now have to wait until the Virginia Independent School Athletic Association playoff seedings are announced. O’Connell is expected to make the 12-team tournament, which starts on May 13.
O’Connell had won four straight and seven of nine prior to the playoff loss.
Junior shortstop Zach Tessier was named to the WCAC All-Conference Second Team, which was released on Monday. Fellow juniors Greg Gadell, a second baseman, and Colin Milon, an outfielder, along with junior pitchers Sean Cabrera and Royce Nichols, were honorable mention selections. Ireton’s Mike Gallagher was named WCAC Coach of the Year, while St. John’s L.J. Joes was selected as the Player of the Year.