Sophomore Zane Kmietek Pitches a No-Hitter Against Indians

Branford baseball pitcher Zane Kmietek did something that hasn’t been done on a baseball diamond in Branford since 2009. The young sophomore pitched a no-hitter against the defending state champion North Haven Indians, winning 3 – 0 on Monday.

“Zane’s performance was dominate,” said coach Steve Malafronte. ​“He stuck to the game plan and worked ahead in most counts and was able to throw his off speed for strikes. When he is locked in like he was he is a difficult pitcher to hit. Every time he takes the mound he has a bulldog mentality and competes on every pitch.”

Kmietek’s no-hitter came just over 7 years ago when George Dummar III hurled his game against the Wilbur Cross Governors. Ironically Kmietek’s performance was on the George Dummar baseball field named after the younger Dummar’s late father who coached the team from 2004 to 2012, winning two state championships.

As good as Kmietek was on the mound his defense was also s good and he made several plays that preserved the no-hitter. In the fifth inning left fielder Tanner Giddings dove and made a shoestring catch of a sinking line drive.

At one point legs were flying on a close play at second as Devin DeRenzo dove back to the bag

In the sixth shortstop junior Nikko Ligouri leaped and caught a screeching liner that he then threw to second to double up a North Haven base runner that was off and running on the play. And later Ligouri grabs a pop up for the last out of the no-hitter.

The Hornets had six hits in the game. Ligouri had a double, single, walked and scored 2 runs and Ross Prior had two singles and an RBI.

Co-captain Bryce Baker had a single and scored a run; Luke DiStasio had a single.

Here Senior Luke DiStasio rips a single for the Hornets

Devin DeRenzo (pictured)drove in one run on a grounder to the infield.

Battery mates pitcher Zane Kmietek and catcher Michael Gogliettino celebrate the no-hitter after the game.

The win brought the overall Hornets record to 7 – 5 and 6 – 0 in the Oronoque Division, assuring them the divisional title.

###