FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP GETS BACK TO THE .500 MARK BEHIND SOLID PITCHING By Mike Ready

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – The Patriots’ season got off to a bit of a rocky start after dropping their first three games putting themselves in a 0-3 hole. 
 
They opened the season with two, two-run losses, including an extra-inning loss against undefeated Manalapan (12-0, 8-0) – ranked No. 2 in the Shore Conference. They then dropped another two-run game, this one to No. 10 Ocean Township (11-2, 7-2) a couple of days later. 
 
Since that 0-3 start, the Patriots (6-6, 5-5) have righted the ship winning six of the last nine and four out of five games, including series splits with division rivals Marlboro, Middletown South and Wall. 
 
Entering the season, the Patriots were counting on their pitching staff to be one, if not the, strength of the team. Instead, the staff got off to a shaky start, but recently they’ve shown signs of life and are beginning to look like the aces they were expected to be. 
 
“Going into the season we expected our pitching to be a strength because that was some of our experience,” said Patriots head coach Todd Smith. It’s been up and down a little bit in some cases, but in the last four out of five wins we’ve been throwing the ball really, really well and the big key honestly is throwing strikes. It we throw strikes we’re going to be in the game.” 
 
Senior Ryan Kurczeski (2-2) threw his best game of his career on Wednesday tossing a complete game, no-hitter in the Patriots’ 2-0 win over Long Branch. The big righthander struck out eight and was one walk away from tossing a perfect game. With the shutout, he lowered his ERA to a respectable 3.20. 
 
His performance Wednesday marks the seventh no-hitter of the Shore Conference season, but only the third to cover a full seven innings. 
 
In Kurczeski’s previous start he was just as dominant throwing a five-inning, complete-game four-hitter without allowing an earned run in their 11-1 win over St. Rose.  
 
“The last two game Ryan Kurczeski threw the ball the way we expected him to throw the ball,” said Smith. “He challenged hitters, threw strikes, he had confidence, great tempo, great pace and he’s a lot of fun to play behind. He’s going to keep pitching the way he has the last two outings.” 
 
Kurczeski is one of the experienced arms Smith was talking about after pitching to a 1.79 ERA last season in 27 IP. 
 
“I do,” Kurczeski said when asked if feels like he’s back on track. “It was a rough start to the season but I’m starting to figure stuff out working with coach and working with the catchers. It’s not just me; it’s the pitching staff and team in general that’s starting to turn the corner and really starting to break through here.” 
 
Sophomore Zach Gorman has been solid throughout. In three games pitched encompassing 17 innings, he’s 2-0 with an ERA of 2.47 allowing just nine hits while averaging close to seven strikeouts per game. 
 
“Zach’s been absolutely incredible,” said Kurczeski of his mound mate. “He came up for us last year as a freshman and pitched his heart out. This year he’s really turned the corner with some pitches starting to bring in some off-speed stuff to his game and he’s been incredible.” 
 
Smith has been equally impressed with Gorman this season not only on the mound but in the field and in the batter’s box. 
 
“Gorman’s fantastic; he’s an all-around really good baseball player,” said Smith. “He has a high baseball IQ, he’s tough on the mound, he locates, makes the hitter miss, has great poise, he’s a great baserunner, great hitter, he’s very versatile in the field and I can’t say enough good things about Zach Gorman as an all-around baseball player.” 
 
Gorman, who plays right field and hits second in the batting order, is averaging .306 at the plate with a .681 on base percentage. He’s first on the team in at bats (36) and steals (10) and second in hits (11) and RS (10) while driving in five runs. 
 
If Smith can get senior righthander Liam Simon straightened out on the mound that would give the Patriots three quality starters at the top of the rotation down the stretch run. In last year’s 6-1 win against Manalapan in the Shore Conference Tournament second round, Simon pitched a huge game, going 6.1 strong innings allowing just one run while throwing 109 pitches. So you know the ability is there. 
 
“Liam’s working hard and doing the best he can,” said Smith. “He had a good win for us last year in the SCT against Manalapan.” 
 
The Patriots offense is a work in progress, but has shown signs of breaking out recently. 
 
“Depends on the day,” said Smith when asked about his team’s offensive production. “It all comes down to timely hitting. We’re working hard to become better hitters. Offensively, Christian Corcione has led us from the first game of the season all the way through today. He’s our table setter, he steals bases, he has quality at bats and he hits every type of pitch, including the good arms.” 
 
Corcione leads the team in BA (.389), 2B (5), HR (1), OBS (1.100), RS (12) H (14) and TB (22) batting leadoff and playing second base. 
 
Smith also singled out senior Brian Lee as one of his players that’s swinging the bat well. Lee is hitting .360 with two doubles and eight RBI with an .892 OBS in 25 trips to the plate. 
 
With seven regular season games left on the schedule, Smith likes what he’s seen lately. 
 
“Four out of our last five we won and we’ve battled back after the 0-3 start,” said Smith. “We’re starting to do some things better but we still got a lot of learning to do. It’s a long season and they’re going to get better. The main thing is the effort is there, the improvement is there and that’s what you’re looking for.
 
“The goal right now is to keep getting better every game,” added Smith. “This weekend we have the Monmouth County Tournament and we’ll see how we stack up in that. The goal is to qualify for both the states and the Shore Conference Tournament and when we get there hopefully we’ll make the most of the opportunity.” 
 
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