CAMDEN, N.J. — Philadelphia Catholic turned seven hits into five run in the first two innings and cruised to a 6-0 win over Bux-Mont in the quarterfinals of the 40th Annual Carpenter Cup Thursday afternoon at the Camden Athletic Field.
The victory sends Philadelphia Catholic to the semifinals Saturday. It will face Jersey Shore at 4 p.m. at Dick Allen Field in FDR Park.
Archbishop Wood’s Chase Cavallaro, La Salle’s Kaden Cortez and Bonner-Prendergast’s Gavin DiRita opened the bottom of the first inning by singling, getting hit by a pitch and walking, respectively, to load the bases with no outs. Conwell-Egan’s Connor Landau hit a sacrifice fly before Wood’s Caden Vacca and Father Judge’s Will Henderson hit back-to-back RBI singles to make it a 3-0 game.
La Salle’s Alex Hisem led off the bottom of the second inning with a double and scored on Cavallaro’s double to right center field. Two batters later, DiRita singled to right field and Cavallaro beat the throw home to make it a 5-0 Philadelphia Catholic lead.
“I got a hanging slider and hit it down the line,” Hisem said, “just passed the bat along to my teammates.”
Cavallaro scored again in the fourth inning – his third run of the game. He walked, advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt and scored on an error, giving Philadelphia Catholic a 6-0 edge.
Philadelphia Catholic’s Cubby Bailey throws to first base against Bux-Mont during the Carpenter Cup quarterfinals, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Ed Morlock/MediaNews Group)
The Philadelphia Catholic pitching staff held Bux-Mont to just two hits across seven innings. Neumann-Goretti’s John LaSpada, Hisem, Bonner-Prendergast’s Jake Gorman and Devon Prep’s John Doogan all threw scoreless innings.
Hisem threw a pair of perfect innings in the third and fourth frames while Doogan retired Bux-Mont in order to end the game in the seventh.
“Our league has the best pitchers around,” Hisem said. “We showed that today and we showed that in our last game on Tuesday. I think it’s being able to command the zone and trusting the fielders is what makes this team good.
“I was just throwing whatever the catcher put down, my catcher Will Henderson from Judge is a great catcher. I was just throwing a bunch of two-seamers today and that’s what worked. I got a bunch of rollovers to shortstop.”
Bux-Mont’s Luke Caron pitches against Philadelphia Catholic during the Carpenter Cup quarterfinals, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Ed Morlock/MediaNews Group)
Upper Dublin’s Luke Caron threw two no-hit innings for Bux-Mont. The sophomore struck out four batters to one walk and allowed one unearned run.
“Obviously we’re playing the PCL, a great league,” Caron said. “I didn’t really know what to expect. I just went out and told (catcher) Lucas (Fresta) whatever you’re putting down I’m going to throw. I’m just going to go out and attack. I felt like my change was good today, just going out and getting ahead of hitters.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Max Eagland took the loss, surrendering five runs on seven hits across 1 1/3 innings. He struck out one batter to two walks.
Pennridge’s Connor Murray threw 1 2/3 innings with one strikeout. He allowed no runs on one hit. Wissahickon’s Nate Hammond threw a scoreless sixth inning, giving up one hit and striking out one batter.
Bux-Mont’s Nate Hammond pitches against Philadelphia Catholic during the Carpenter Cup quarterfinals, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Ed Morlock/MediaNews Group)
Cheltenham’s Jack Haugen and Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Lucas Fresta each had a hit for Bux-Mont.
Both Hisem and Caron enjoyed the unique experience of the Carpenter Cup, which allows them to team up with players they compete against during the high school season.
“It’s great,” Hisem said. “Playing against guys that are super talented and now you get to be teammates and form bonds together.”
“It’s awesome,” Caron said. “When you’re playing against them you want to beat them, but they’re all great guys. I’m glad to be able to compete against them and learn from them as well. They make my life a lot easier on the mound.
“This organization is great and I’m glad to be on a beautiful field.”