Presidents Take Their Opener With Shutout Over Wallkill
HYDE PARK – Maybe Owen Pacchiana just likes the cool weather.
After a tough start last week while on a spring training trip to Myrtle Beach, the Franklin D. Roosevelt High School left-hander threw a gem on Thursday, leading the Presidents to a 5-0 Mid-Hudson Athletic League win over Wallkill.
It was the season opener for both teams.
Owen Pacchiana went 5 2/3 innings of two-hit ball to lead the way, striking out six.
“He’ll be out No. 1 this year,” FDR coach Kory VanZandt said of the left-handed Pacchiana. “We just wanted him to attack the strike zone and that’s what he did. He hit the corners on his fastball and had real good control of his curveball.”
Youngsters led the way offensively. Freshman Jaden DeLawder had a bases-loaded single and two RBI, and sophomore Justin Patsey had two hits, including a double, and scored two runs.
FDR only has two seniors on the roster, with 14 juniors and those two fellas.
“They are big, strong kids,” VanZandt said. “We’re real excited. Good defensive game for us with no errors and we did enough offensively to win.”