By Jason Lockhart
The Morristown Naturals turned things up a notch on the defensive end during Monday’s win over the Andover Wizards at Twin Oaks Field in Morris Township.
Three Naturals pitchers combined for six strikeouts in seven innings. But the game was won in the outfield, according to manager Sam Pagano.
“Right now we’re on a roll,” Pagano said. “Today was like any other game. It was all about great pitching and great defense.”
Naturals starting pitcher John Prestano pulled a hamstring in the first inning when he was tagged out at first base during a groundball play. Replacing him was Chris Peretti who pitched four innings with three strikeouts. Peretti normally plays first base.
“Peretti came in, didn’t give up a run, and basically bailed us out,” Pagano said.
Peretti also got things going early for the Naturals (9-1) with a base hit in the first inning, driving in Natural players Tommy Pagano and Mickey McGraw to put the Naturals up, 2-1.
The Wizards (2-5) found themselves behind 5-1 in the fifth inning, as the Naturals turned several double plays behind Peretti’s mix of knucklers and fastballs.
Wizards manager Bernie Noviskey said his ballclub struggled to make big hits.
“We haven’t been clutch hitting with our runners in scoring position,” Noviskey said. “We have not been able to make the big hits when we needed it and that has been the story of our season.”
Noviskey went on to say that the Wizards are batting around .100 with runners in scoring position.
Naturals fundraiser photos by Bonnie Hicks. Please click icon below for captions.
The Naturals got some batting help from outfielder Andrew McGrath, who knocked in runs in the fourth and fifth innings. His sac fly in the fifth made it 5-1.
Tommy Pagano and outfielder Ian Wookish went three-for-three for the Naturals. Pagano, the son of the Naturals manager, played shortstop for the first time this season.
The Naturals are a semi-pro team of college-aged and current
college players trying to make it to the pros.
Playing in the Morris Majors, the Naturals travel all over Morris and Sussex
counties to play other semi-pro clubs. Fans can catch their home
games at Twin Oaks Field and Lidgerwood Park.
The Naturals also active in the Morristown community, doing charitable
events and fundraisers. They recently raised approximately $1,200 for team expenses at Sona Thirteen.
