Noah Danza remembers his first high school baseball game, looking across the field at Gloucester Catholic and experiencing a bit of awe on opening day.
Danza was a freshman at Clearview High School and faced Rams’ ace Tanner Nolan in his debut. Danza managed one of Clearview’s two hits that day, but his team was defeated, 14-0.
“We played them twice because we were in the same conference, and it didn’t go too well,” Danza said with a laugh. “They were so well-prepared.”
Danza transferred to Gloucester Catholic High School for his sophomore year and was immediately plugged into a powerful lineup, which is currently attempting to defend the Non-Public B state and Joe Hartmann Diamond Classic championships this spring.
Danza, who has already committed to play baseball at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, said he needed to earn his spot at shortstop despite being a highly touted transfer.
“Nothing is given,” he said. “I came and worked for it. We want the best lineup, and I’ll go wherever they need me.”
So far, so good. Through his first seven games, Danza was hitting .476 with 12 RBIs and a pair of home runs. In a game against Williamstown on April 10, Danza was batting fifth in the lineup, which oddly enough, followed two other players who weren’t members of the championship team last year. Braeden Lipoff transferred in from Kingsway and three-sport athlete Jack Mustaro rejoined the team this year after taking the baseball season off last year.
Lipoff, who is a sophomore catcher, was in a similar situation as Danza had been.
“I didn’t know [Lipoff] because he went to Kingsway,” Danza said. “We were rivals. But I met him the first week of school, and we became friends pretty fast. It was the same with everyone else. They’ve been super welcoming … nice and humble. Everyone cares around here. I love it.”
All three players now share the mission of wearing a target with their teammates. The Rams were 24-7 last year and will defend two major championships. Other schools would love to knock the Rams from their throne.
“I think we like it,” Danza said. “We play better like that. We want everyone gunning for us because we want everyone’s best.”
Defending championships is nothing new at Gloucester Catholic, as the Rams have won 20 state titles in their history. It’s a special place to play ball.
“It’s the best coaching you can get,” Danza said. “It’s the best baseball you can play anywhere. It’s a great community, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
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