Colman Vila throws a no-hitter as Pierson/Bridgehampton wins Long Island Class C title
Pierson-Bridgehampton pitcher Colman Vila reacts after throwing a no-hitter against Friends Academy for the Long Island Class C baseball final. (June 4, 2013) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Colman Vila did it again, only this time he was unhittable.
The Pierson/Bridgehampton senior southpaw tossed a no-hitter to lead his team to a Long Island Class C championship, topping his performance in last year's title game on the very same date. Vila pitched a shutout last year.
Propelled by Vila's dominant outing, Pierson/Bridgehampton beat Friends Academy, 5-0, Tuesday night at Farmingdale State College to win the LI title for the second consecutive year.
"I'm speechless," said Vila, clearly overjoyed. "To do this in a game like this is just great. I don't even know what to say. I couldn't even imagine this. By the last inning, I was freaking out."
The bid for a perfect game was spoiled with two outs in the sixth inning when Vila issued a four-pitch walk to Friends Academy outfielder Spencer Sklar, who appeared to be attempting to bunt for a hit.
It was the only time Vila was behind in the count to a batter all night.
Vila recorded nine strikeouts using a repetitive recipe: get ahead of Friends Academy batters with an overpowering fastball and finish with a baffling curveball.
"He's been our ace all year," Pierson/Bridgehampton coach Jonathan Tortorella said. "And he does not get intimated by a big stage. He was just incredible today."
The Whalers (22-1) advance to play in a Class C regional final against Haldane at 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon at Renegade Stadium in Hudson Valley. Friends Academy finished the year 9-10.
The Whalers scored two runs in the first inning on back-to-back walks. Forrest Loesch walked to score Jack Fitzpatrick, who led off with a walk. James Sherry's base on balls scored Vila, who singled to centerfield.
Vila provided a pair of defensive highlights, too. He grabbed a line drive -- smoked off the bat of shortstop Matt Feinstein -- that brought him to the ground to begin the bottom of the second. Vila, without missing a beat, struck out the next two batters to end the inning. He later made a diving catch on a bunt attempt by Spencer Sklar to end the third.
Vila's focus after the no-hitter immediately shifted to a game less than 24 hours away.
"This team beat us last year so I know it'll be tough," he said. "I'll try to enjoy this now for a while, though and then think about what we need to take care of."
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