Ace Nick Storz and Poly Prep had to sacrifice the chance for one special moment for a potential season full of them.
The flame-throwing righty was pitching a perfect game through five innings at home against Fieldston last Saturday afternoon.
He had struck out nine, throwing as hard as 91 miles per hour, and allowing just one hard-hit ball. But Storz, one of the city’s top pitching prospects and all-around players, experienced some tightness in his right tricep and couldn’t work it out in time to get back on the hill for the sixth.
So there was no perfect game, just a combined no-hitter in a 7–0 win. Blue Devils coach Matt Roventini understood the perfect game meant less than Storz’s long-term health and the other big games when he plans on sending the sophomore to the mound as Poly tries to win a fifth-straight private school state title.
“Your first instinct is that he is throwing a perfect game,” Roventini said. “Your second instinct is that doesn’t really matter in the big picture.”
Part of that big picture is a match up against George Washington and its ace Wesley Rodriguez at 3:30 pm on May 2 in Washington Heights. The duel between Storz and arguably the city’s best team and its best baseball prospect is still on track, and it should be some afternoon.
Rodriguez had scouts from all 30 Major League teams including Detroit Tigers general manger Dave Dombrowski watching him beat James Monroe 1–0 with 16 strikeouts in eight innings earlier this month.
It should be another circus-like atmosphere when Rodriguez takes the hill against Poly and Storz. Leaving Storz on the mound with a five-run lead against Fieldston could have jeopardized that match-up, and more.
It was disappointing to give up his chance for a perfect game, but Storz knew it was worth a chance to pitch the most high-profile game of the season.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Stroz said. “They are a great team. We have great pitching.”
Storz has watched older pitchers get the ball in games like this before. Now that it’s finally his turn, he doesn’t want to miss the opportunity.
“It’s just the time for me to prove myself,” Storz said. “I’m looking forward to it and showing what I got.”
What he has is a big right arm and fastball that can really overwhelm hitters. Storz become even tougher to hit when he is getting his off-speed stuff over for strikes like he did against Fieldston. He psychs out hitters with more than just his pitches, according to Fieldston coach Tony Marro.
“He’s a power pitcher,” Marro said. “He is a big guy. It’s pretty intimidating up there seeing 6-foot-6 coming at you.”
His balance of talents makes Storz a must-watch player. He is also a power hitter, and can impact a game in so many ways.
There is a good chance Storz will get another shot at a perfect game during his career if he is kept healthy enough to continue taking the mound. It just wasn’t going to be on that Saturday afternoon.