May 17, 2012
Marist's Peralta throws a no-hitter vs Bayonne |
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Mark Peralta threw a no-hitter in the semifinals of the Ed Ford Memorial Tournament. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
By Jason Bernstein Editorial Director |
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The day before Mark Peralta’s start against rival Bayonne, a member of the clergy at Marist predicted a no-hitter for the senior pitcher.
Maybe it was divine intervention, or just incredible foresight, but Peralta delivered on the prediction. With the same Brother in attendance, Peralta would throw that no-hitter in an 8-0 victory in the semifinals of the Ed Ford Memorial Tournament.
“I was outside running at my school and one of the Brothers from the school was there and he started talking to me and Matt (Littrell),” said Peralta, recalling the event. “He (asked) us, what our positions are and when our next game was. At the end he said ‘I don’t know why, but I have a feeling that one of you is going to throw a no-hitter.’”
Peralta was nothing short of dominant as he struck out 10 batters without a single walk. Bayonne’s Jared Ensmenger reached on an error in the second inning, the lone base runner Peralta would allow.
“I felt everything was moving,” said Peralta of his pitches, calling it the best game he’s ever pitched. “Fastball, changeup, slider, curveball, everything was moving.”
Fourth-seeded Marist (19-5) scored two runs in the top of the second on an error and never looked back.
Derek Edge and Angel Perez each had three hits and two RBI to help the Royal Knights build up the lead. Aaron Smith added two hits and a RBI.
Meanwhile Peralta only got stronger with six of his last nine outs coming by strikeout.
Top-seeded Bayonne fell to 21-6 on the year.
With the victory, Marist advances to face second-seeded St. Peter’s Prep in the final at Caven Point on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.