NICK TUNSTALL

CRANBERRY TWP — Nick Tunstall could feel the similarities beyond what leapt out from the box score.

The Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic senior pitcher threw two no-hitters against Riverview in 13 days.

Both games ended in 10-0 wins for the Trojans, with Tunstall striking out eight batters.

They didn’t feel that similar to Tunstall.

“It was different in the second game because I worked a lot more efficiently,” said Tunstall, who threw 69 pitches in the first game after throwing 96 in the first. “I was throwing a lot more strikes in the second game.”

North Catholic hopes getting more quality starts — in addition to contributions at the plate — will lead to a deep playoff run.

The Trojans, who finished the season 13-7 overall and the runner-up with an 8-2 mark in Section 4-A, had plenty of strong pitching after a rocky start.

North Catholic, which is seeded sixth, will open the playoffs against Rochester at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Chippewa Park.

The Trojans lost its first two games by a combined score of 22-3 playing against teams in Georgia.

“I feel like the games in Georgia, we got our early season kinks out,” Trojans senior shortstop/pitcher Jake Matschner said. “We brushed off some rust from last year, jelled together and worked efficiently.”

In addition to Tunstall’s two no-hitters, junior Robert Schad threw another in North Catholic’s 11-0 April 29 win over Leechburg.

Nick Nyman has also thrown some big innings for the Trojans.

North Catholic coach John Haggerty attributes his pitching staff’s success to hard throwing.

“I’d say velocity,” Haggerty said. “From a velocity standpoint, we have the hardest throwers in Single A as a pitching staff. We have guys who throw hard and we can command the strike zone if we need to.”

Matschner, who will play baseball with Tunstall at La Roche College next season, thought his no-hitters were a few of his better efforts.

“Nick was throwing the best pitches I’ve seen him throw both games,” Matschner said. “It was like deja vu.”

The first game against the Raiders ended in five innings and Tunstall walked four batters. In the second, he only walked one in six innings.

“He was pin-point accurate in the second game,” Haggerty said. “Wherever he wanted to put it, he put it. Our catcher calls his own pitches behind the dish. With the confidence the pitchers have in him, he’s done a phenomenal job.”

Tunstall always wants to pitch well against Riverview. He’s made several starts against the Raiders in the past three years.

“It’s always been a big game to us,” Tunstall said. “The first game sophomore year we lost. The second game, I pitched from here on out. I feel comfortable pitching against them.”

Haggerty believes he team is set up to be successful in a one-and-done playoff scenario.

“Between our lineup and pitching, when the seedings come out, there will be a lot of people that aren’t happy they have to face us,” Haggerty said.