Hard-throwing St. John The Baptist ’17 RHP Nick Jack dominated in a complete game shutout in Town of Brookhaven Summer Varsity. He worked through the Nationals lineup only allowing two hits in seven strong innings striking out eight and only walking one.
“Being smart when I pitch, knowing what pitches to throw and when to change up my looks and change speeds with different counts.” said Jack, who will be playing at John Jay next spring.
His strong performance was rewarded with a win thanks to his heavy-hitting lineup that manufactured runs with smart at-bats. The scoring started for the Blue Devils in the second inning. Their only walk at the plate would come from Jack with the bases loaded to bring in their first run.
The walk would come with two outs after Nationals’ LHP Dennis Blyskal struck out his second batter. His unorthodox sidearm delivery was deceptive but not deceptive enough for the Blue Devils’ leadoff hitter, Nick Corsaro, who would drive in two runs with a hard hit line drive to the left center gap after falling behind 0-2 in the count.
“I felt good out there, my team put me up early,” Jack said. “That gave me the confidence I needed.”
This win keeps the Blue Devils within one game of the first place Expos who also won a game tonight. Standings in Brookhaven’s summer league are beginning to become important as the last games for this division will be played August 3, and the Blue Devils are set to square off with the Expos.
Pitching is typically the most important piece of the puzzle when it comes to playoffs. NSBA Blue Devils will be in good shape if Jack can keep up performances like this.
The big righty demonstrated his ability to mix up pitches and change speeds keeping his opponent off balance all game. Strong instinct and IQ isn’t Jack’s only export, as his fastball velocity was impressive with a great breaking ball and running change to compliment.
The Blue Devils would tack on a couple insurance runs in the sixth with a one-out rally from the middle of their lineup. Their bats would come together to knock eight hits in thirty plate appearances, six more than their opponents.
Both teams are set to pick up play Thursday, NSBA is scheduled to face Suffolk Seawolves as the away team and first pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. LI Nationals are set to host Pat Med Raiders at 6 p.m.
