Frank Garofalo Rises to the Occasion for St. Rita

Frank Garofalo spent much of the season waiting for his moment from St. Rita’s bench. As a junior infielder, he struggled initially but maintained faith in his abilities. When Braden Quinn was injured late in the season, Garofalo seized the opportunity.

Garofalo expressed his belief in his skills, stating, “I always knew I could play with everyone but never got an opportunity until Braden got hurt. When I stepped in, I played well.” His confidence culminated in a key moment when he hit a walk-off single, driving in JJ Quinlan to secure a 2-1 victory over East Peoria in a Class 3A state semifinal at Slammers Stadium, Joliet.

Southeastern Iowa commit Sully Kazee threw a three-hitter, striking out three and allowing one earned run for the Mustangs (29-12). Heartland recruit Colin Quinn went 2-for-3, while Julio Gutierrez added a sacrifice fly to drive in Jayden Hawkins.

St. Rita will compete for its first state championship at 1 p.m. Saturday against Troy Triad (36-5), who beat Crystal Lake South 2-0. The Mustangs previously lost three 4A title games in 2009, 2010, and 2014. Coach John Nee, a long-time coach and St. Rita alum, emphasized the significance of this opportunity for the community and former players, noting, “Tradition never graduates.”

“We always say tradition never graduates. To be in this game Saturday is not just for our group, it’s for the entire community.” – Coach John Nee

Garofalo, entering Friday with four RBIs, became the unlikely hero following RJ Duncheon’s game-tying homer in the sixth for East Peoria (27-14). In the bottom of the seventh, Jayden Ibarra hit a double, followed by Quinlan advancing on a fielder’s choice. Garofalo then sealed the victory with a single to left.

Garofalo described the moment, saying, “I got a fastball. It was a big moment, and I was ready for it. I’ve never had a walk-off before. The emotions were incredible.” Previously, he scored in St. Rita’s wins over Marian Catholic and Nazareth.

“Frank stepped in, played third base and shortstop when we had injuries. Every opportunity he took, particularly defensively, led to success.” – Coach John Nee

Kazee shared his joy, noting, “I had a feeling someone would come through. Seeing the ball get through, I knew we’d win.” Garofalo echoed the sentiment, expressing his love for baseball and high-pressure situations, overwhelmed with the result.

Garofalo’s pivotal role in achieving the win brought immense satisfaction, showing his perseverance and readiness.