Dan Shepherd pitches and hits Nazareth Area High School baseball team to District 11 Class AAAA title

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/dan_shepherd_pitches_and_hits.html FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES Dan Shepherd and Dan Horvath have developed quite a camaraderie. The Nazareth Area High School pitchers combined on a four-hitter and Shepherd stroked a two-run fifth-inning double Wednesday to spark the Blue Eagles to a 2-1 victory over Liberty in the District 11 Class AAAA title game at Coca-Cola Park. It's the second straight district title for Nazareth (21-4), which plays the third-place team from District 1, either Upper Dublin or Hatboro-Horsham, in a PIAA first-round game on Monday. "This game was typical of our season," Nazareth coach Jon Lock said. "We've battled all year. This 2012 Nazareth baseball team is what 'team' is all about. They just don't quit. It's a great bunch of guys." Shepherd started and allowed one run on four hits through 5 1/3 innings. Horvath entered with two runners on in the sixth and recorded the last five outs for the save. "We're like a duo," said Shepherd, who's emerged as the staff ace since Karl Keglovits broke his finger nine days ago. "We talk about it every day. I told him before the game 'Dan, it's me and you, buddy.' " Trailing 2-1, Liberty (21-4) threatened with one out in the six when Pat Donnelly blooped a single and James Bertolotti walked. Horvath came on and retired Pete Daland on a liner to shortstop and Jake Tone on a slicing line drive to left. "(Horvath) comes in and pounds the strike zone," Lock said. "We have a lot of confidence in him late in games." Horvath retired the side in order in the seventh inning, including a strikeout of Eric Chavanne to end it. "I feel stronger as a reliever than a starter," said Horvath, a junior. "I don't know why but I like pressure, especially when the fans are cheering. I wanted to do everything I could to help the seniors keep playing." Horvath received an assist from center fielder Anthony Gaetaniello, who made a sliding catch to rob Robert Bertolotti of a hit leading off the seventh. "I knew (Gaetaniello) had the wheels," Horvath said. "He does it all the time. He's quite a defensive player." Liberty took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Donnelly tripled and eventually stole home on the back end of a double steal. Dalan, the Hurricanes' starting pitcher, retired the first two batters in the fifth inning before Gaetaniello singled, Mike Garzillo walked and Shepherd drove them in with his double up the gap in left-center. "You have to give (Nazareth) credit," Pitsilos said. "They played better today. My biggest disappointment is these kids not being able to realize what they worked so hard for. I might be back here again but these guys won't get the chance. This is the best bunch of seniors I've had."