[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Tz4mhtBrfY]
It’s nice to have a stud pitcher that consistently fires fastballs by the opposition. Hauppauge has that luxury this year with LHP Nick Fanti–who continued his absurd season with a two-hit shutout of Kings Park with 14 strikeouts. He is now 6-0 on the season and will most likely get drafted in next month’s Rule IV MLB draft.
“When Nick Fanti is throwing for you,” said Head Coach Josh Hutes, pausing at the end. “you just know you have a chance to win every baseball game that you play,” he added.
“Nick just battled, he’s such a competitor, he gives you a chance to win every time,” he said.
Fanti came out of the gate firing 88-89 MPH fastballs and struck out the first six batters he faced on 22 pitches.
The Hauppauge Eagles jumped on the opposing starter with a lead off triple by Billy Huber. Fanti smacked an RBI double to deep right center to score him. Later in the inning, an error on the pitcher scored Fanti for the second run.
From that point on, it was a matter of how many strikeouts Fanti would get because the 2-0 lead was ample runs for him to work with.
The lead off batter roped a single down the left field line on a change up to ruin any chance of another no-hitter–he already has two this season. He struck out one in the third, one in the fourth, two in the fifth, one in the sixth.
The Eagles broke it open in the bottom of the sixth with a three spot with the big blow coming on an RBI triple by Devin Jenny on a 1-1 fastball over the plate that he ripped over the center fielder’s head.
In the seventh, Fanti appeared a bit tired despite entering the inning with only 86 pitches. He hit the lead off batter, which was his third of the game. He struck out the next batter on a fastball on the outside corner. He lost his control to the next batter and walked him on four pitches.
Fanti re-grouped and struck out the next two batters–with the last one on a nasty slider that nobody could’ve hit–for his 14th strikeout of the master piece.
Fanti stated that he is not phased by the constant attention. His starts attract scouts in droves and they all have their radar guns up on every pitch and following every move.
He has remained focused through out it all and doesn’t allow it to affect him.
“I’ve been throwing in front of scouts and college coaches for the last few years now so I’m more used to it but I could see how it could be a little nerve wracking,” said the lefty ace.
The Eagles are now 14-0 in the conference and are looking to be almost unbeatable in League V.
