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PBR Spotlight Game: Newton North vs. St. John's Prep

June 5, 2015

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By Dennis Gramolini
PBR New England Regional Scout

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PBR Spotlight Game: Newton North vs St. John's Prep

It was quite a remarkable pitching performance for St. John’s Prep senior RHP Justin Foley, who no-hit the Tigers of Newton North over nine innings to earn the 1-0 victory. Foley used good control and changed speeds very effectively to keep Newton North off balance throughout the contest. He went on to strike out five, walked three and was helped out by some outstanding defense in the field.

Senior third baseman Teddy McNamara delivered an RBI double and that was all the Eagles would need to win their opening game in the Super 8 Tournament.

Senior RHP Curtis Beatrice was the tough luck loser as he pitched well over seven innings allowing the one run and six hits while striking out two and walking one. He really battled and was able to keep his team close throughout the afternoon. Senior LHP Spencer Anderson came on for the 8th and recorded a scoreless frame.

Each pitcher was on point the first three innings as neither team had a batter reach base. Both Foley and Beatrice were pounding the strike zone and were getting a lot of first or second pitch outs that kept the game moving at a brisk pace. After the first two batters were retired for the Tigers in the top of the 4th, it looked as though senior centerfielder Ben Porter would the first in the hit column. Porter ripped a line drive in between short and third but McNamara dove to his left and stabbed the ball as he tumbled to the ground, ending the inning.

The bats would wake up for the Eagles in the bottom of the 4th as senior left fielder Keith Leavitt (PSU commit) led off with a single to left. Next batter, junior center fielder Jacob Yish, worked a walk after a ten pitch at bat. One batter later it was McNamara delivering on a perfectly executed hit and run, lacing a ball in the gap in left-center which rolled under the fence, ultimately costing the Prep a second run, as Yish had to hold at third. Then, with two outs, it looked as though senior second baseman Ryan Spurr (Rochester commit) would knock in two more with a liner over second base. However, Tiger second baseman Kane Medina made a diving catch to his right, keeping the score at 1-0.

Newton North would put runners on via the walk each of the next three innings but we unable to move anyone further then second base.

Foley would notch four of his five strikeouts on the day during the stretch, including striking out the side in the 5th. Meanwhile, Beatrice continued to battle against a tough Eagle lineup. He allowed singles to junior catcher Jack Arend and Leavitt in the 5th but they were stranded.

In the 6th, senior right fielder Nick Latham (BC commit) led off with a single but was quickly erased when Tiger junior first baseman Thomas Joyce started and completed a 3-6-3 double play on a rocket ground ball hit by McNamara.

Into the 8th, it looked as though it was going to be Foley’s day after recording three quick groundouts and still holding Newton North out of the hit column. Beatrice was finished on the mound for the day after seven but the ball found him immediately after he took over in right field. Anderson’s first pitch to Arend was hit for a sinking liner to right and Beatrice dove belly first and scooped up the ball before it hit the turf for the out. Leavitt was next and he too would be robbed of a hit, this time by Medina again who went deep in the hole at second, threw off his back leg and got the out at first. The score remained 1-0 heading into the 9th. Foley got behind leadoff hitter and shortstop Eric Mah 3-0 before retiring him on a pop out. Senior third baseman Christian Cox then struck out on a curve ball. Finally, it was senior centerfielder Ben Porter who ripped a line drive right at Spurr to end the game and complete the remarkable no-hitter for Foley and securing the victory for St. John’s Prep.

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