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SCOTT PURKSRyan Strauss follows Paul McClay's perfection with a one-hitter, so Bloomingdale has mounds of optimism.
BRANDON - In the first nine innings they threw this year Bloomingdale pitchers Paul McClay and Ryan Strauss were perfect.
No runs. No hits. No errors. No walks.
"No worries whatsoever," Bloomingdale coach K.B. Scull said. "I mean they didn't get behind hitters, and nobody came close to getting a hit.
"All the plays were routine. No need for any spectacular saves."
McClay, a thin right-handed junior, started last Thursday by throwing five perfect innings in a 12-0 victory over Chamberlain, ended by the 10-run mercy rule.
Strauss followed the next night by shutting down Riverview, allowing only one hit in the fifth inning - "On the only changeup I threw all night," he said - in a 4-0 victory.
Strauss, a stout, hard-throwing right-hander, finished the seven innings with 15 strikeouts, no walks, and again, no errors behind him.
"After McClay threw his perfect game I told him I was going to follow with another perfect game," Strauss said. "And look at that, besides that one changeup (lined over the shortstop), we almost did it.
"That doesn't happen too often, now does it? Back to back perfect games? That would have been amazing."
Breaking down the two games makes it rather intimidating in their own right: McClay, fastball around 80 mph, threw 52 pitches, 33 for strikes, mixing it up with 17 split-fingered fastballs, 15 curveballs, 10 fastballs and 10 changeups.
Strauss, fastball around 90 mph, threw 94 pitches, 64 for strikes (74 fastballs, 20 curveballs, one changeup).
The scary thing is that these guys looked so good you might believe it could happen several more times this season.
"I really think it could happen," Bloomingdale pitching coach Nick Caffaro said. "I mean I don't think this was a fluke because these guys are so focused and sharp."
And confident.
Confident partly because they play on a team that shows no weaknesses - in the field, at the plate, behind the plate (Bulls catcher Ryan Collins is one of the county's best), or on the mound (Bulls also have Daniel Payne and Brett Morris who throw extremely well).
"Knowing all those guys are your teammates makes you comfortable," McClay said. "I just focus on making each pitch, and then if they hit it I know my teammates can make the plays. We have a great defense."
The Bulls (2-0) also have the memory of last year's season-ending loss for perspective and motivation.
It happened in the district semifinal where underdog Venice beat them 3-2.
"We had a good season last year and then, just like that, it was over," McClay said.
"I think that should definitely help us because we know all it takes is one game like that in the playoffs. We know we have to stay focused. One pitch at a time."
Which is exactly what Scull and Caffaro like to hear.
"The coaches talk to us before each game, getting us mentally ready," Strauss said. "They talk about location and seeing the pitch in our mind before we throw it. I'd say it seems to be working pretty good."