FRITZ FIRES ONE-HITTER AS FRIARS WIN OPENING ROUND IN HILLTOP TOURNEY

by Joe DiBlasi

Archbishop Curley right-hander Keith Fritz carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning at Orange High School, near Chapel Hill, N.C., and settled for a one-hit gem as undefeated Archbishop Curley knocked off Wesleyan Christian Academy, 5-0, in the opening round of the Hilltop Tournament, on Thursday.

The Friars coming off a big 2-1 MIAA A Conference win over St. Paul’s, on Wednesday, are now 6-0 this season.

Fritz lost his no-hit bid in the top of the sixth, but his main focus remained on winning. “I was aware of the situation in the fifth, but when I gave up the hit, I tried not to let it get to me,” said the 6-1 senior. “It was more important for us to get the win.”

After the single, Fritz walked two batters, but was able to pitch out of it. The Curley defense turned a nifty double-play to end the inning and keep the shut-out in tact. Wesleyan, last year’s North Carolina state champion, lost for the first time this year, after opening the season 7-0.

The Friars were paced at the plate by hard-hitting third-sacker Jon Sobczynski, who doubled home the first run of the game in the second inning. The Friars would extend their lead to 3-0 on a two-run double by Mike O’Neil.

Matt Wilson, who was the defsnsive hero agaisnt St. Paul’s, also chipped in with a two-bagger.

“Keith was outstanding,” said Curley coach Jack Thomas, now in his fourth year with the Friars. “He kept them off balance and pithed a very smart game.”

Curley advances to the winners bracket at 7:00 p.m.tomorrow.