No. 3 JCA, Dalesandro blank No. 15 Metamora

April 1, 2014

By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

JOLIET, IL – The stage was properly set for an early-season scouting treat. Two of the top Class 3A state contenders – No. 3 Joliet Catholic Academy and No. 15 Metamora – with each team throwing their star junior right-hander, both of whom are considered two of the top 2015 prospects in the Midwest.

The game certainly lived up to its billing, too, with defending champion JCA winning 1-0 in a crisp 85-minute game Monday. Both highly touted pitchers – JCA’s Nick Dalesandro and Metamora’s Trent Johnson – threw exceedingly well, just as you’d imagine a 1-0, 85-minute game would go.

The game, however, finished on somber tone after Johnson left the game in the sixth inning clutching his right elbow following a pitch. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Johnson, who’s ranked No. 3 in Illinois’ 2015 class and No. 15 overall, said he couldn’t feel his hand after the game. Johnson, who’s verbally committed to Arizona, earned first-team All-State honors as a sophomore last year.

Meanwhile, Dalesandro, who’s ranked No. 2 in Illinois’ 2015 class and No. 10 overall, also received a scare when he got hit by a line drive on his right hand in the fifth inning. But the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Purdue recruit shook off the pain and proceeded to finish his 73-pitch complete-game shutout.

Dalesandro yielded only two singles in the game, struck out seven and walked one to hand Metamora (5-1) its first loss. After Dalesandro was hit in the hand, he seemingly got stronger. He needed only 24 pitches in the final three innings (9 in the fifth, 8 in the sixth and 7 in the seventh).

“I will be fine,” said Dalesandro, who pitched a complete game in the Class 3A state championship game as a sophomore. “At first I thought it wasn’t good – I couldn’t get a good grip on the ball. I probably had some adrenaline rush from the game, but now I’m fine. It’s a little sore, but I’m good to go. … I hope Trent is OK.”

Dalesandro had complete control of his four-pitch arsenal. He held his impressive fastball velocity throughout the game, in addition to throwing a cutter/slider and a slurve. He occasionally wrinkled in a changeup for good measure.

Johnson allowed five hits and struck out three in his 5.1 innings.

JCA scored the game’s only run when senior 1B Aaron Markley led off the second inning with an opposite-field triple that got past the diving left fielder on an 88-mph fastball. After Johnson looked like he was going to get out unscathed, senior Zach Jackovich legged out an infield single, barely beating Johnson to the bag.

Rylan Bannon and Mitchell Boe each had singles and a stolen base for the Hilltoppers (2-0) as well.

For more in-depth scouting notes on the game, visit the Illinois Scout Blog

No. 3 JCA, Dalesandro blank No. 15 Metamora

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