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By: Bruce Bosley
PBR New England Scout

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Vermont Spotlight Game: St. Johnsbury vs Essex

ESSEX, Vt. - In a battle between the two of the top teams in Vermont with two of the state's top pitchers on the mound, Essex High came from behind to top defending D-I state champ St. Johnsbury Academy, 4-2, Thursday. 

Essex junior righty Maverick King settled down after a tough first inning to out-duel St.J senior lefty Patrick Greenan. Both pitchers worked quickly going the distance in cold and windy weather in a quick (1:35) contest.

After allowing two unearned runs to the Hilltoppers in the first, King retired the last eight and 15 of the last 16 hitters he faced as Essex improved to 8-1 on the season.

Greenan had equally impressive control walking one and striking out eight in his six-inning effort. Four of the eight hits he allowed came in the Hornets three-run fifth and three of the four runs were earned. The St. Lawrence-bound lefty has led a strong St. Johnsbury (6-2) pitching staff that had allowed just nine runs in the team's first seven games.

King gave up a single to senior Austin Wendall, the game's first batter, and promptly picked him off. One out later Johnson & Wales commit, Garrett McDonald singled and moved to third as junior catcher Jake Choiniere  reached on a two-base infield error. Both scored on a single by junior Jasper Rankin.

The early 2-0 advantage held as Greenan retired the side in order in the first two innings before senior Nick McGovern doubled to lead the third. One out later junior second baseman Zachary Pratt singled to right to score McGovern to make it 2-1.

With King now cruising on the mound, the Hornets would take the lead for good batting around in the fifth.

McGovern singled and stole second. He moved to third on a sacrifice and scored on another single by Pratt. Speedy  senior centerfielder Tyler Roberge, who is headed for Johnson & Wales with McDonald, singled to move Pratt to third before senior Abraham Koval delivered a third straight single to bring in Pratt for the go-ahead run. After a groundout to move both runners up, senior Liam Coulter then worked the lone walk of the game for Essex, loading the bases.

It looked as though Greenan would pitch out of the jam but an error by the first baseman on an easy grounder plated a fourth run. He then fanned junior Robby Meslin for the third out.  

Top Performers

Essex (Vt.) High School:

• Maverick King, RHP- solid seven-inning complete game victory for the junior allowing five singles, two unearned runs, one walk while striking out five. Used a high 70s-low 80s fastball and a sneaky curve to keep hitters off balance. Excellent all-around athlete (also ice hockey).
• Nick McGovern, LF- went two-for-three with a double, stole a base and scored twice.
• Zachary Pratt, 2B- had a pair of run-scoring singles in three trips, including the go-ahead RBI in the fifth.
• Ryan Young, SS - junior had solid contact in three trips including a long double. Also three excellent defensive plays spearing a soft line drive behind third base in the fifth and twice coming in on the grass to throw out runners on slow rollers. Another excellent all-around athlete (also ice hockey) who played centerfield as a sophomore.

St. Johnsbury Academy:

• Patrick Greenan, LHP- 6-foot-2 senior lefty went the route allowing eight hits, half in the fifth, walking only one with eight strikeouts. Fastball topped out at 82. Will pitch at D-III St. Lawrence.
• Jake Choiniere, C - 5-foot-10, stocky, lefty-hitting junior catcher was solid behind the plate blocking several pitches in the dirt. Threw out Essex’s Tyler Roberge, one of the state’s fastest players, at third trying to steal