Knights Pitcher Throws Elusive No-Hitter
/By Jano Tantongco
jtantongco@longislandergroup.com
Knights pitcher Joseph Muchnicki came back from a year being sidelined because of an injury with a start he could never imagine: a bonafide no-hitter to open the league season against Miller Place, 5-0, on March 29.
Muchnicki, a senior, sat out the entire season last year due to knee surgery. But his pre-season prep helped get him back up to speed.
“I knew my strength was there because of pre-season pitching. I felt stronger actually than I did before the injury. So, I knew my strength was going to be there,” Muchnicki said.
Even so, he was still naturally a bit anxious.
Photo courtesy of Joseph Muchnicki
Knights pitcher Joseph Muchnicki earned a no-hitter at the team’s first game of the season, against Miller Place on March 29.
“That was my first game back pitching in a while, a long time. I was obviously a little nervous,” Muchnicki said.
As the game proceeded, Glenn put up a few runs that instilled him with some more confidence.
“And, I didn’t really realize I had a no-hitter until about the fourth inning. I didn’t really think about it,” Muchnicki said, adding that — as per baseball tradition — no one said anything about his streak.
He said that he’s pitched perfect games up until the fifth or sixth inning in the past.
“Before, I’ve never been able to finish the job. This one, I wasn’t really nervous about finishing. I just wanted to get the win and do my job and do what’s best for the team,” Muchnicki said.
Adding to his growing confidence, Muchnicki was comfortable pitching to teammate and fellow senior Jack Ryan, who he’s been playing with since he was in the fourth grade.
He also shouted out lead hitter and centerfielder Anthony Tesi, who he said was “killing the ball at bat and has been making ridiculous plays in the outfield.”
“I feel like our team has really come together. We have a lot of chemistry on this team. Everyone’s played together for such a long time. We know everyone, their strengths, their weaknesses.”
The Knights played Miller Place again the next day and lost 5-4, as well as suffering another loss against Shoreham-Wading River on Monday, 4-1. But, Muchnicki remained confident looking ahead, with his eyes on the playoffs.
As of Wednesday’s deadline, the team stood at a 3-4 record in League VII. Their next game is slated for Saturday at 11 a.m. against Mt. Sinai at home.
