MAPLE MARK – Kaneland starting pitcher Robert Dudzinski had no idea he had thrown a no-hitter Monday after blanking Sycamore, 2-0.
His outing marked the first time the Spartans had been no-hit in 20-plus years, according to Sycamore coach Jason Cavanaugh.
Dudzinski discovered the news shortly after the game when his teammates drenched him with water inside Kaneland’s dugout. It was the first no-hitter of Dudzinski’s career.
“I don’t like to know how I’m doing when I’m pitching,” he said. “I don’t like to know how many walks, strikeouts, hits, earned runs, anything – I don’t even want to know my pitch count. I only wanted to know my pitch count today because the last time, I went over. … I just wanted to see if I could finish it.
“This is as big of a pitching performance that I’ve had on any level. It means so much more.” Dudzinski pitched a complete game and threw out six Sycamore batters.
The Spartans (5-8) struggled to get anything going offensively, failing to reach third base and finishing with 13 groundouts.
Cavanaugh said his team needs to get back to its mentality of hitting balls deep.
“We have to have a better plan,” Cavanaugh said. "We had six strikeouts, which is reasonable against a pitcher of Dudzinski's quality. That said, we need to have more of an inside-outside approach going the opposite way. We kind of did things our own way today. Everybody decided they were going to do it their own way and we saw the result.
“Instead of sticking with our team philosophy of hitting the ball hard to the opposite field, almost every ball was a ground ball to the pull side.”
Sycamore wasted a solid pitching performance by starter Austin Steele, who struck out five and allowed three hits and two runs over five innings.
Kaneland (11-3-1) scored its first run during the fourth inning when Sycamore catcher Matthew Cusamono overthrew first baseman Jason Cavanaugh while attempting to throw out Jonathan Alstott. Cusamano’s error allowed Kaneland base runner Zachary Farris to cross the plate from third.
The Knights added another run in the fifth inning after Nikolas Panico crushed an RBI double towards the left field fence to give Kaneland the insurance run.
“Both pitchers looked really good,” Kaneland coach Brian Aversa said. “Both teams had a hard time hitting. We always play a tight game with Sycamore. They’re tough with us. We’re thought with them. This was kind of expected.”
Aversa said Dudzinski pleaded for the start against Sycamore, reiterating several times before the game he was ready to go.
“(Dudzinski) was absolutely on (Monday),” Avrersa said. “It was great for him to come out and perform like that. He’s a kid who takes everything to heart. He’s going to come out and give his best overtime. I’m glad he got rewarded for it.”
By the numbers: Gomes had with two of Kaneland’s three hits, going 2 of 3 at the plate.
Beyond the stats: Sycamore failed to register a base runner at second base. Spartans’ shortstop Zach Carlsen was called out during the fourth inning after attempting to steal second.
They said it: We were all happy and wild for Dudzinski’s no-hitter,” Panico said. “But once we realized it was actually happening in the final inning, we all got quiet because that’s what they do in the majors. We were all excited for him. It’s very impressive and we’re really happy for him.”
Up next: Both teams continue the three-game series at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.