The game Seton Hall Prep's baseball team won in dramatic fashion Friday afternoon was overshadowed by an absent Pirate.
Right fielder Tom Mahala of Basking Ridge is at Overlook Hospital in Summit with what school officials are calling a "brain bleed" found Thursday afternoon.
The Pirates honored their teammate with a 10-7 victory against Bergen Catholic in the North Jersey, Non-Public State A state tournament semifinal. Senior third baseman Shane Nolan hit a towering three-run homer to center field in the bottom of the seventh to win the game.
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The Pirates will play Pope John XXIII of Sparta in the sectional final Tuesday at 4 p.m. The appearance in the sectional final is the Pirates’ 12th in 14 years.
But right now, the Pirates are focused on Mahala and his recovery.
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Mahala informed Coach Mike Sheppard that he was suffering migraine headaches Thursday and that he would be at doctor’s office, missing practice. Later, Sheppard was told by Mahala’s father Tom that his son was in medically induced coma that would stabilize him with surgery scheduled Friday.
Both Sheppard and school headmaster Monsignor Michael Kelly visited the youngster. Mahala, who is planning on playing baseball at the U.S. Naval Academy next year, was breathing on his own Friday afternoon and recognized visitors.
The team had a half-hour prayer service in the morning in the school chapel and before the game for their teammate who was batting .359 with two home runs and eight RBI this season. He is the oldest of nine.
The Pirates paid tribute to Mahala by hanging his jersey next to their bench, some wrote his initials and number on their caps.
"Today’s game was dedicated to him," said senior second baseman Chris Manfredonia.
The Pirates fell behind 4-0 in the first, rallied to tie the game at 4-4 in the third, fell behind once again 7-4 in the fourth inning and tied it at 7 in the fifth.
Nolan came to bat after Bergen Catholic intentionally walked Mike Mari to face Nolan, who sent everybody home with his long home run.
"This was more important than any game we've ever played in our lives because it's for one of our brothers," said senior designated hitter/catcher Stephan Halibej, who went 4-for-4. He added that Mahala "would run through a brick wall for this team."
