By John Knebels • Posted August 16, 2024

It’s been a while, but looking back at Neumann-Goretti’s state baseball championship celebration, a couple of players arguably did not receive enough plaudits for their overall contribution during the four-game journey.

After the Saints had walloped District VII champ Avonworth, 12-0, in the PIAA Class 3A Pennsylvania final on June 14 at Penn State University, most of the attention centered upon graduated seniors Jayce Park and Andrew “Dank” Dankanich.

The fanfare made sense.

Park, the Philadelphia Catholic League Pitcher of the Year and soon-to-be Old Dominion University freshman, allowed only three base runners and struck out eight over five shutout innings in the final, and finished the tournament allowing one run, eight hits, and five walks with 17 strikeouts over 12 masterful innings.

Dankanich, a West Chester University-bound first-team All-Catholic who went 7-for-16 with two homers, five runs scored, and nine RBI in the tournament, ended the game – and season – with a magnificent grand slam that clanged off the left-field foul pole. The blast will eternally live among the most epic moments ever produced by any of the multiple thousands of Philadelphia Catholic League players.

Closer inspection, however, unearths standout performances by another pair of graduated seniors – outfielder/designated hitter Christian Cerone and lefty pitcher Santino Pharma. Although they eagerly anticipate their respective college careers at Millersville University and New Jersey’s Rowan College (Cumberland Campus), respectively, a belated “attaguy” never hurt anyone.

After leading the Saints in batting average, slugging, on-base percentage, OPS, and RBI during the regular season, Cerone went 6-for-9 with five RBI and a run scored in his three tournament games. The highlight of Pharma’s 7-1 record and 1.85 ERA was his state-tourney line of 10 innings, one run, eight hits, four walks, and 10 strikeouts.

“Hitting .430 isn’t something that you see all the time, and to do this while battling a hamstring injury makes it all the more impressive,” said Dankanich. “Christian practically played on one leg the entire state run. Regardless of the lack of hype he received in the state run, he as well as everyone else knows he played a crucial role, and we couldn’t have done it without him.”

Playing in centerfield, Dankanich saw first-hand how opponents struggled figuring out how to solve Pharma’s mix of fastballs, curveballs, and changeups.

“Santino is another guy who had a phenomenal year,” said Dankanich. “He took on a big role this year after (senior teammate) Joe Gallagher unfortunately dealt with injuries. And in his role, Tino absolutely killed it. I believe he should’ve received more recognition throughout the season. I feel as if he got snubbed for All-Catholic honors.

“But honestly, it’s really just a title and doesn’t define anyone. Everybody knew Tino was a dog. And every time he stepped on that mound, we knew he was going to give us a good chance to win. Without him, our season and state run would probably look very different.”

Neumann-Goretti coach Nick Nardini reiterated much of Dankanich’s sentiments.

“Christian Cerone was a beast this year,” said Nardini. “He has been our best hitter for two seasons. Believe it or not, he played on one leg in the state playoffs and had a pretty bad hamstring pull in practice before our first state game. He did not play in Game 1 against Salisbury, but designated hit for us in games 2-3-4. He could not run even 50 percent, which is why he didn’t have any stolen bases, which he would have definitely added because he had 16 on the season and could have ended with 20 if he were able to run.

“He’s a super fast kid, so he gave us everything on one leg. I told him to not overdo it, just knock runs in and jog to first, and that’s exactly what he did. He toughed it out and told me he would do anything to help us win.

“Santino Pharma was absolutely outstanding for us this year,” Nardini continued. “He was our number-two starter, reliable as it gets on the mound, and one of, if not the, hardest working kids on my team. Was overshadowed a little by Jayce Park’s dominance, but was fantastic in his own right.”

When Cerone and Pharma were asked if they felt slighted in any way, they both emitted a verbal “Are you kidding me?” stance.

Instead, the duo shared how the thrill of seizing the school’s third state title in school history – the others occurred in 2016 and 2017 – have forged an unbreakable bond of brotherhood.

“I just think how it’s crazy a bunch of childhood friends have been playing together for so long and finally got the championship they deserved,” said Cerone. “Realizing that we were one of the best Neumann-Goretti teams ever and being cemented in the program’s history is a great feeling.

“I also think about how bleaching our hair was probably the best decision possible, and I didn’t even wanna do it at first. I felt even closer to kids I’ve known since I was 6. From seniors to freshmen, we were all best friends and made for one of the best years of my life.”

Pharma awaits plentiful reminiscing at Rowan, where teammates Joe Gallagher and Jimmy Gallo will also begin their collegiate baseball careers.

“Oh man, I don’t even know where to begin,” said Pharma. “For a start, I have thought about the state championship every day since winning it. I will never forget the feeling of putting on the Neumann jersey with my brothers and holding up the state plaque with them for one last final time.

“Since leaving Penn State, I’ve been in head coach Nicky Nardini’s place down in South Philadelphia called SPST. Inside is our poster from winning the state championship, and every day when I walk in and see the sign, I just can’t help but smile.”

Neumann-Goretti’s reputation even made its way to the Jersey shore.

“Funny story actually,” said Pharma. “Fourth of July weekend, Christian Cerone, (graduated senior) Billy Greco, and I were sitting in Uncle Bill’s Pancake House in Wildwood,” said Pharma. “A family came up to us and said, ‘Hey, were you guys on the Phillies the other day after winning your state championship?’ We couldn’t help but smile because not only did people from Philadelphia recognize us, but Jersey as well.

“It really is a great and surreal feeling. I could go on talking about this topic for days.”

Days, weeks, months, years. When it comes to winning a state championship, time has a way of standing still.

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Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on ‘X’ @johnknebels.