Molloy 5 – Christ the King 1
Matt Fealey’s most valuable asset may be his average fastball.
The Archbishop Molloy pitcher throws the ball no harder than 80 MPH, but that hasn’t kept him from being a solid prospect.
“The fact that he doesn’t throw hard is going to help him,” said Christ the King head coach Walter Tuthill, whose team lost to Molloy, 5-1, yesterday. “He’s learning how to pitch. He already has great finesse and he’s only going to get better.”
That’s good news for Molloy, especially since Fealey is already showing signs of promise. In yesterday’s victory, he pitched a complete game, allowed eight hits, a first-inning unearned run and no walks to help the Stanners improve to 10-1, 5-0 in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens.
“He kept our whole team off-balance,” said Tuthill after his Royals dropped to 11-7, 4-2. “He showed excellent composure and he kept them in the game. We were trying to hit balls over the building across the street because it looks like you should be able to hit his stuff. When you don’t, you get very frustrated. That’s what happened to us.”
And it might happen to other teams, too, if this game was any indication. At 6-foot-4 and only 160 pounds, Fealey (2-0) will fill out in time and be able to throw much harder. By then, he will have already learned many of the finer points of pitching.
“I love pitching,” Fealey said. “I always have. I love being involved in every play. Everyone is calling on you to win the game.”
Fealey got some help from his lineup, especially No. 9 hitter Mike Vigorito. The third baseman had a two-RBI double that keyed a three-run second inning for the Stanners.
The Royals were hurt by the inconsistency of pitcher Leon Krusup, who struck out eight, but had trouble finding the plate. He threw three wild pitches and hit two batters.
“He’s a great pitcher, but he tries too hard,” Tuthill said. “He has to focus more.”
That clearly wasn’t a problem for the precocious Fealey. He never appeared rattled or flustered.
Molloy head coach Jack Curran was glad to see that.
“We needed another pitcher,” he said. “I knew he was capable of doing this. All he has to do is throw strikes.”
Which is exactly what he did. Fealey only struck out three, but incredibly, he didn’t walk a batter. Curran thinks he will throw a lot more games like this for the Stanners.
“We expect a lot from him as he develops,” Curran said. “Today was an important step. I can see him leading our staff someday.”
That suits Fealey just fine.
“I would love to be an ace,” Fealey said. “I know I definitely have to hit the weight room. The speed will come from that, hopefully.”
Curran is confident that it will.
“He’s able to spot pitches and he has good control,” Curran said. “He could be pretty good.”
He already is.