Fenwick 11
Walter Payton 4
One Fenwick pitcher appears fully mended and another looks to be stronger and prepared for a successful season on the mound. Both hurlers didn’t give up a hit last week.
Matt Gallo showed no signs of a previously sore throwing shoulder as he helped lead his Friars to an 11-4 romp over Public League powerhouse Walter Payton High School at the Dominican Priory on Saturday.
Gallo racked up six strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings to close out the victory for Fenwick (6-0). The senior also dominated at the plate, going 3-for-5, which included a two-run homer in the first to get the Friars off to a favorable start.
Kevin Sweeney kept Walter Payton at bay by tossing a no-hitter before being taken out after three innings due to a pitch count. Sweeney allowed just one base on balls, while striking out four.
Mike Falsetti, Joe Musso and Mike Loni also had big days at the plate for the Friars. Falsetti went 3-for-4, while Musso blasted a solo home run. Loni went 2-for-3 at the plate.
“This was one of those games where we played excellent defense and we had great offensive production,” said Fenwick head coach Dave Hogan. “I was in the same boat I was in with pitch counts and no-hitter as I was against Nazareth, but this early in the season it’s a wise choice to preserve your pitchers. There’s plenty of baseball yet to be played.”
In Fenwick’s 6-1 victory over Nazareth on Thursday, Cam Verbeke pitched five innings of no-hit ball before his pre-arranged pitch count maxed out. Verbeke allowed just three walks, while fanning nine before reaching 78 pitches on the day.
“I would have liked to see him keep going, but he really hadn’t aired it out yet,” said Hogan on his decision to take Verbeke out. “It’s one of those things. It’s too early, cold weather, and again, there’s a lot of baseball left.
“The positive thing is that Cam is feeling and looking stronger, so there’s sure to be more great pitching from him in the weeks ahead.”
The Friars had seven hits on the day and only struckout three times. Loni went 2-for-3, while Sweeney drove in three RBIs.
The Friars host Maine South on Thursday (April 9, 4:30 p.m.) before taking the Easter weekend off. They begin Catholic League play against Leo on Monday (11 a.m.).