When Patch Dooley has command of all his pitches, the offense is often left searching for answers.
That was the case in today’s 9-0 shutout win over Riverhead in which the junior struck out TWENTY batters in a one-hitter.
“My curveball was feeling really good today,” said the young hurler. “I was able to throw it where I wanted and put the hitters off balance,” he said.
He also recorded the final out of the game on a comebacker.
Was he looking to record every out via strike out as the game progressed?
“I was just trying to throw strikes,” he said. “I knew towards the end they weren’t able to hit me.”
With the T-Birds having the game easily in hand, Coach Tim Belz gave him the choice of walking away with 18 strikeouts.
He decided to stay in and he said that “gave me a good push to strike everyone out”.
The offense was led by Mike Palazzolo, who went 3-for-4 with four RBI. Kevin Cavataio went 3-for-3 with two RBI and Matt Hogan went 2-for-3.
With the victory, Hills East improves to 6-1. They are as tough a team as there is with Dooley on the mound. He’s among the top pitchers in the class.
