With the bases loaded an nobody out in the bottom of the seventh inning, St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows, senior pitcher Taso Stathopoulos knew he had to bear down to finish off his strong effort.

He did just that, allowing one unearned run in seven innings of work in the L’il Terriers’ 4-1 victory April 24 against Holy Cross H.S., Flushing.

The wind was whipping all game at College Point Little League Field, Flushing, so St. Francis Prep relied on small ball to get the victory.

“This was like playing at Candlestick Park,” said Prep head coach Brother Robert Kent.

Stathopoulos – who will be pitching next fall at the University of Rhode Island, Kingstown, R.I. – struck out 10 Knights in his complete game and only surrendered three hits and one walk.

The L’il Terriers got on the board early with two runs in the top of the first inning. Senior shortstop Bob Perretti drove a single to left field, which chased home junior center fielder A.J. Figeroa. Senior third baseman Aaron Acosta then doubled to left to drive home Perretti.

Holy Cross senior pitcher James Callahan then settled in for the next four innings, but his Knights could not solve Stathopoulos.

In the top of the sixth inning, back-to-back doubles from junior designated hitter Matt Walsh and junior pinch hitter Alex Villano plated an insurance run for St. Francis. Stathopoulos helped himself out further by driving an RBI single up the middle in the top of the seventh.

The Knights threatened against Stathopoulos in the bottom of the seventh after loading the bases. After an infield fly, Holy Cross senior designated hitter Justin Polanco singled to right to drive in a run.

However, Stathopoulos struck out the next two batters, and an emphatic fist pump capped off the win for L’il Terriers.

“I mixed up my pitches a lot,” Stathopoulos said. “Me and my catcher (senior Nick LoPrinzi) kept each other composed. We both were on point today. He called a good game today, and we won with everything he called.”

St. Francis Prep moves to 8-1 in CHSAA league play with the victory. That’s been an impressive feat, since the team has dealt with eight injuries this season.

“The guys have to step up; that’s why they call it a team,” Brother Robert said. “Different guys have stepped up.”

“I’ve been on varsity for the past four years, and this has been the team with the most heart,” Stathopoulos said. “We go out there every game and compete against the best teams. Every game we’re in there, and everyone has to step up and back up each other.”