North Adams-Jerome pitcher throws second no-hitter of the season before the playoffs begin
HILLSDALE COUNTY — Pitching has been a key strength for North Adams-Jerome baseball this season, and it looks to be a strength for the team heading into the postseason after junior pitcher Connor McKay threw his second no hitter of the season, this one against Pittsford in a 6-0 victory.
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The junior Ram broke a NA-J record for throwing back-to-back no hitters in two consecutive starts. McKay had 10 strikeouts against the Wildcats. He was backed up with three doubles from Zyler Webb, Conner Arsenault and Nathan Todd. Arsenault had three RBIs to lead his team. Todd and Webb each had two hits.
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McKay is averaging 10 strikeouts per start this season, recording 14 in his no-hitter against Waldron on May 16.
Pittsford bounced back to win game two of the doubleheader 14-11. Pitching for the Wildcats was Jake Draw (four strikeouts) and Gavyn Carden (six strikeouts). Wildcats Hunter Peiffer, Ryan Evener, Jake Drawe, Gavyn Carden and Landon Governo each had a double, with Governo earning a triple as well. Evener and Governo each had three RBIs.
Jacob Smith had seven strikeouts pitching for the Rams in game two. McKay, Webb, Hale and Todd each had a double, and Smith had three RBIs.
Pitching will be key for the Rams, who play in a district quarterfinal game on May 28 at Reading high school against the Rangers. The Rams lost to the Rangers 18-8 back in April.
Key players for the Reading Rangers are Stephen Anderson, who leads the team in hits and RBIs. Colton Hoover leads the team in runs and stolen bases. Zack Peifer leads the team with 60 strikeouts on the mound this season.
The Pittsford Wildcats await the winner of the quarterfinal for a Friday, May 31 district semifinal game starting at 10 a.m.
Brady Hartman leads the Wildcats in hits and RBIs this season. Evener and Peiffer lead the team in stolen bases, while Lane Lewis leads the team in runs. Drawe and Peiffer lead the team in strikeouts this season.
The winner of the semifinal game plays the winner of Waldron and Camden-Frontier. That district title game is played directly following the conclusion of the second semifinal game.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: North Adams-Jerome pitcher throws second no-hitter of the season before the playoffs begin
