LYNN — When you get to the Elite 8 sometimes individuals start to thrive knowing they’re one game away from the Final Four. On Saturday, the Doney brothers were up to the task and delivered in No. 2 St. Mary’s 5-0 win over No. 7 North Middlesex.
Josh Doney started the game hot, striking out the first three batters en route to a 10-strikeout performance, allowing one walk and one hit earning himself the win and the shutout. The hit came in the top of the seventh inning when a North Middlesex player beat out an infield single by the narrowest of margins.
“It was a tough way to lose the no-hitter,” Spartans coach Derek Dana said.
Despite losing the no-hitter, Dana praised Doney’s pitching while also crediting the team’s defense.
“He’s been our guy all year. He’s outstanding and pumps strikes. He kept it under 90 (pitches),” Dana said. “He was really efficient and the guys played great behind him. He’s done it all year long.”
While Josh and the rest of the Spartans took care of the Patriots on defense, Kyle Doney made sure to bring in the runs. Kyle went 2-for-3 with three RBI.
With a bases-loaded RBI walk to Maxwell Parent, followed by an RBI groundout from Josh Doney, Kyle had runners on second and third with two outs. The situation didn’t get to Doney as he drilled a single to left field bringing home both runners to give the Spartans an early 4-0 lead.
“He grew up at home plate today. He came up with big hits. He was struggling in the middle of the season, but the last couple of games he’s coming up with big knocks bringing guys in,” Dana said.
Josh praised his brother for his big-time hitting.
“He had two hits which were huge. He had a huge day with the three RBI,” [Josh] Doney said.
Fast forward to the third inning and Kyle was up with two outs and a runner on third. The pitch came and Kyle singled up the middle bringing Parent home for a 5-0 lead.
Josh continued his dominance from the mound and after the game, he credited his defense for his one-hit day.
“The outfield has been a lock all year. We have Isaiah [Weston], Max [Parent], Devin [Duval], and sometimes Rowan [Merryman] out there making plays,” Doney said. “Then in the infield, it’s the same thing. Shea [Newhall], Jaiden [Driscoll], Mike [DeMaino], Jared [Paone], and Jake [Peterson] have all been solid this season.”
Dana agreed, calling the defense the Spartans calling card.
“We played great defense all year long. Every kid that takes the ball, they know they’re going to get a very good, consistent, effort from the defense,” Dana said. “Our defense has won us games this year. Every single one of the pitchers who takes the ball loves playing behind that defense.”
Now, the Spartans are back in the Final Four, a familiar place for this group. This year, however, they want to take the next step and make it to the championship game.
“This group made it to this game last year and now they need to know where they’re at,” Dana said. “They earned their way there and that’s a credit to them. It’s a tough thing to do. We’ll see what happens.”
“After last year I really wanted to get back because it was a devastating feeling losing last year,” [Josh] Doney said. “I’m just happy to be back.”
The Spartans will play at a neutral site on Tuesday against No. 7 Tantasqua Regional with the location and time TBD.
