Crohan performs for scouts: throws second consecutive no-hit shutout, with 18 Ks

Behind home plate stood five professional scouts Tuesday afternoon, each equipped with a radar gun, gathering information for MLB teams about Riverhead’s senior lefty Matt Crohan. They left in the bottom of the 6th inning, missing the conclusion of Crohan’s second consecutive no-hitter, a first in Riverhead’s history.

Crohan only allowed three balls in play while recording 18 strikeouts and 5 walks at home in a 4-0 League IV victory over Centereach (2-2).

Although Crohan felt good after the pre-game bullpen, he had some trouble after stepping on the mound.

“I was a little wild at first,” said Crohan. “I thought I wasn’t going to have it. But I found the umpire’s strike zone and tried to just stay there.”

Only one ball was hit hard in play the entire day by Centereach. Down the third baseline it went, completely smoked, before sophomore John Wendt made quick work of it by pure instincts, throwing it across the diamond preserving the no-hitter.

“He was throwing 85 MPH consistently,” said one of the scouts who preferred to stay anonymous although his enormous Los Angeles Angels championship ring was clearly visible.

But Riverhead’s head coach Rob Maccone thought Crohan was throwing harder.

“That’s the cold weather for you,” said Maccone. “They might have said that he was throwing 85 but I think he hit 86-87 but of course I’m not by a radar gun. But either way, they couldn’t touch him and they’re a good hitting ball club.”

“I threw mostly fastballs today,” said Crohan. “I flashed my curveball with two strikes sometimes just to show the hitter that I had it but I didn’t really need it.”

Crohan’s approach to every game is always the same no matter the opponent.

“You have to go out and play every team like they’re the Yankees,” Crohan said.

But as professional scouts take notes on every move he makes, Crohan does not try to do anything special. He believes in himself and the game he plays.

“This is like my temple,” Crohan said, smiling. “It’s my way of getting away from things.”

One of the scouts, also asking to be anonymous, shared some thoughts on Crohan before leaving the field.

“I’ve known Matt for the last couple of years,” said the scout. “He’s gotten bigger and stronger from last year and he’s close to an average velocity of a major league fastball and curveball. He works quick and is very confident. He has a chance to be drafted and has a very big upside.”

Riverhead (2-2) only scored four runs which leaves Maccone a little worried.

“Offensively we have to get a little better,” said Maccone. “We scraped together four runs but we should have scored more runs against those guys. We’re definitely good enough to hit them, but it has to click and we’re just not clicking yet.”

Maccone said he has been shifting the lineup around each game to find what works best.

“We’ve been sliding kids down, sliding kids up,” said Maccone.

A lack of big hits has made Maccone try to play some small ball.

After a sacrifice bunt by Brian Brenton moving the two base-runners over, the Blue Waves scored the first run of the game by bunting again. This time, a well-executed squeeze bunt by Bobby Dilworth as Crohan scored from third base.

“We bunted successfully today,” said Maccone. “We even scored a run without a hit. We have to try to do the little things. You have to get runs somehow.”

Junior Jesse Patriss lined an RBI single to right field in the 6th inning, extending the lead to 4-0.

The Blue Waves return to action for the second game of the series in Centereach tomorrow at 4 p.m.

“We’ve got to take care of business and win this series,” said Maccone.

RiverheadLOCAL photo by Mike Hejmej