In a dominant display of pitching prowess, senior left-hander A.J. Maddalena led Hamilton High West to a commanding 6–0 road win over the Lawrenceville School on Tuesday at James C. Waugh Field. Maddalena’s complete-game performance, featuring 11 strikeouts and allowing only two hits, showcased his return to form following a challenging recovery from Tommy John surgery.
A Stellar Performance on the Mound
Maddalena’s outing was nothing short of exceptional. Utilizing just 101 pitches—approximately 80% of which were strikes—he kept the Lawrenceville hitters off balance throughout the game. His slider was particularly effective, dropping sharply to confound left-handed batters. At one point, he struck out five consecutive batters, and he concluded the game by striking out the side in the seventh inning, demonstrating both skill and composure.
A Resilient Comeback
This victory marks a significant milestone in Maddalena’s comeback journey. After missing his sophomore and junior seasons due to injuries, including undergoing Tommy John surgery in the offseason, he made his first start in three years on April 12. With each outing, Maddalena’s confidence and performance continue to improve, signaling a promising end to his high school career.
Offensive Support for the Hornets
While Maddalena dominated on the mound, the Hornets’ offense provided ample support. The game’s only run came in the second inning, courtesy of a bases-loaded walk. In the fourth, a wild pitch allowed another run to score. The Hornets broke the game open in the fifth inning, scoring four runs, highlighted by a two-out, bases-loaded double from A.J. Zuccarello.
Lawrenceville’s Efforts
Lawrenceville’s junior shortstop, David Holland, was one of the few players to solve Maddalena, going 2-for-2 with two singles. His performance stood out as the Big Red struggled to generate offense against the dominant pitching.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Hamilton West improves to 8–7 on the season, building momentum after a challenging start. Maddalena’s resurgence on the mound adds a significant boost to the team’s prospects as they approach the latter part of the season. The Hornets will look to continue their strong play and make a push in the upcoming games.
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