'That was pretty dominant': St. Paul's Jake LeFrancois allows just three hits in victory over Tantasqua

WORCESTER — Jake LeFrancois was the starting catcher for the St. Paul baseball team as a freshman.

While LeFrancois has remained a fixture in the lineup, the mask, chest protector, shin guards and bulky glove have been stored in the shed at his family home in Worcester since the start of last season, when he made the full-time transition from behind the plate to on the mound.

“I miss it; I miss it,” LeFrancois said of catching following the Knights’ 10-0, six-inning win over previously unbeaten Tantasqua Regional on Friday afternoon at sunny Tivnan Field.

LeFrancois, though, has become a can’t-miss player.

The 6-foot, 195-pound senior allowed five base runners — three singles, two to Jack Rapose and the other to Brandon Phillips, a walk and a hit batter — while striking out nine in a 99-pitch performance.

“He’s excellent; as good as it gets when it comes to high school baseball around here,” Tantasqua coach Jon Leroux said. “That was pretty dominant. Not many people get a lot of hits off him, so you have to play perfect baseball when you face a kid like that.

Live spring high school schedule, results, line scores and recaps

“Obviously we didn’t have our stuff on the other side of the field, too, to even make it a contest.”

LeFrancois, a returning T&G Super Team selection and UMass-Lowell commit, threw 16 of his 23 first pitches for strikes, and the Warriors (7-1) only worked the count to three balls in four plate appearances.

The hard-throwing right-hander, whose fastball has been consistently clocked in the 89 to 91 mph range this season, opened the game with a strikeout and ended the second, third, fifth, and sixth innings with Ks.

“I’ve had the velocity since sophomore year,” LeFrancois said. “I just have to come out and pound the zone. I struggled with that last year, but this year I’m just a different type of person.”

Offensively, LeFrancois tripled and scored two runs as the Knights put up at least 10 runs for the third straight game.

Senior Chris Palermo was 3 for 4 with a double, four RBIs and two runs. He hit a two-run, two-out double in the third to make it 5-0 and ended the game with a two-run single with no outs in the sixth.

“I’ve been working a lot on my swing at practice with coach (Terry) Reidy, staying back,” said Palermo, who will continue his academic and baseball careers at Quinsigamond Community College. “My swing felt really good today, and I was seeing the ball really well.”

Juniors Colin Kreuz and Curtis Patrick, sophomore Beckett Bailey and freshman Cameron Swank each had an RBI as the Knights improved to 5-2 with their third straight win.

The Knights, who started three freshmen and a sophomore, collected 10 hits and six walks, with three batters reaching base after being hit by pitches. Eight of nine batters reached at least once.

“They’re all contributing, and the energy is great, and the practices are great,” coach Ed Riley said. “It’s just a good, solid group of kids who are working hard.

“They all get along; they’re all in it together. I’m happy, I’m happy for them because they put the time in.”

LeFrancois, who was making his second start, improved to 3-0 on the season. He hasn’t allowed a run in four appearances spanning 16 innings, during which he has recorded 27 strikeouts.

Riley pointed out his ace has improved his pitch selection and approach to batters and has a breaking ball that’s coming along.

And the sky, as they say, is the limit.

“He’s kind of just hitting the cusp,” Riley said. “I’m excited to watch him pitch at the next level in college, and I think he has a shot to pitch after college because he not only has the physical traits, but the mental traits.

“He’s tough on the mound, and he’s a battler. Everyone feeds off him. He’s our leader; it’s his team.”

As for that catching gear, it still fits, although LeFrancois admitted it’s a little tight. And, these days, a conversation piece.

—Contact Rich Garven at rgarven@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @RichGarvenTG.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: LeFrancois, St. Paul baseball shuts down previously unbeaten Tantasqua