Pathfinder Shuts Out McCann Tech
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- One bad inning in the field and one bad day at the plate led to the McCann Tech baseball team’s first loss since April, a 1-0 decision to Pathfinder at Joe Wolfe Field on Wednesday.
Andrew Roman struck out 15 and scattered three hits to lead the Pioneers in the battle of Tri-County League co-leaders.
An error and two wild pitches helped produce the game’s only run in the top of the fifth inning as McCann Tech (11-4) saw a seven-game winning streak come to end.
“Composure-wise, our team was just a little out of our heads today,” McCann Tech coach Pat Ryan said. “We are a better team than that, and we're going to come back tomorrow ready to go. Right now, we're 11-4, and we're a good, solid team. I don't want one loss in the middle of our seven-game winning streak to damper our season.
“We're going to come back and fight because we have them again on Friday.”
The composure issue was front and center in the bottom of the third when Michael Ferrara, frustrated after fouling off to the catcher in foul territory, hit himself in the head with his bat. He had to leave the game, but Ryan said he believed the junior infielder and pitcher will be back in action on Thursday.
“I know it was a big thing with Mike, but the rest of the team I just had a conversation with because my 'McCann Way' is not throwing helmets and bats or swearing,” Ryan said. “They're super competitive, and I love it, but there are other ways to show anger toward yourself. That's the composure piece right now. They didn't have it today. They'll be back tomorrow.”
On Wednesday, McCann Tech had some early chances to get on the board against the Pathfinder ace.
In the second, Rob Pecor led off and was hit by a pitch. He moved up when Robert Matte III reached on an error and got to third on a balk that put runners at second and third with two out.
Roman then walked the bases loaded before getting the third out on a swinging strike.
In the fourth, Logan Tower led off with a single to right field, but the Hornets failed to move him over.
“Yes, there were a couple of bunts we couldn't get down,” Ryan said. “You've got to play small ball when you're playing good teams, especially against a good pitcher. It just didn't go our way in that respect.”
In the fifth, Pathfinder got a leadoff single down the third base line, but Matte (seven strikeouts) got a strikeout and a ground ball to leave a runner on first with one out. But an errant pickoff throw move the runner to second, and two straight wild pitches sent him home.
McCann Tech hosts Franklin Tech on Thursday before going to Pathfinder on Friday.