by Joe DiBlasi
Senior right-hander Bobby Kirby gave up a line single to right, off the bat of John Carroll freshman K.J. Hockaday in the top of the first inning, and that was the only hit that the Patriots would get on the day, as Kirby and Junior lefty Ryan Taylor combined for a one-hit shutout in Loyola’s 7-0 MIAA A Conference victory over visiting John Carroll, Saturday at Blakefield.
Kirby, who had posted a 1.59 ERA last season, is at it again. After tossing a five-inning no-hitter against Georgetown Prep, over spring break, the dominant senior has allowed no runs and just one hit in 10 innings of work, to start the season 2-0.
On Saturday, Loyola coach Mike DelGaudio sent left-hander Ryan Taylor to the hill for the last two innings, and Taylor retired six of the seven batters he faced.
The tandem retried the Patriots in order in all but the first and sixth innings. Kirby retired the last nine batters he faced, fanning the final four. Counting srimmages, Taylor has struck out 27 in 20 innings of work so far this spring. He has given up one earned run in that span.
Loyola scored in the first inning when Taylor walked, and Drew Hoppes doubled to left. They got three more in the third,without the benefit of a hit. Two walks, two Patriot errors and a fielders choice gave the Dons a 4-0 lead.
“We’re playing well right now,” said DelGuadio. “We’re getting good pitching, solid defense, and timely hitting.”
Kirby, whose younger brother Ryan is a freshman catcher for John Carroll, had a cance to pitch to his brother in the fifth and Ryan went down swinging.
“It would have hard to go home tonight if Ryan had gotten a hit,” said the older brother. “John Carroll has four freshmen on their team, and I’m proud that he’s one of them.”
Loyola 7, John Carroll 0
JC 000 000 0 – 0 1 2
LOY 103 102 x – 7 6 0
B.Kirby, Taylor (6) and Quaranta; Loiodice, Butler (5), Pastorious (6), Keene (6) and Skelly and R. Kirby.
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