This victim was Abraham Lincoln, 11-1. Last Wednesday, he pitched a no-no against Girard Academic Music Program, 10-0. Both games were halted after five innings by the 10-run rule.
(Also yesterday, senior righthander Ron Kenney, who has drawn scouts' attention for his catching skills, threw a 16-strikeout, one-walk no-hitter as Edward Bok Tech downed Overbrook, 6-1.)
For Charlie Ritterson, making the occasion even more special was that his catcher was his brother, Rob, a junior.
"All the pitches are called by our coach [Max Bilkins]," Charlie said. "I don't shake off. If I did, and the result was a good hit, I'd hear about it from both of them."
He added with a laugh, "Probably more so from my brother."
Ritterson, who is expecting to attend Wesley or Rutgers-Camden, recorded six strikeouts yesterday, five against GAMP.
"I've been getting ahead of the hitters, but my 0-2 pitches haven't been that good," he said. "I've wound up letting them hit the ball, mostly, and my fielders have been doing a great job.
"My best pitch is the curve. I rely on that a lot when I'm ahead in the count."
Ritterson said that no Lincoln player came close to a hit, but that someone from GAMP assuredly had.
"In the second inning, one of their guys hit a looping liner," he said. "Our centerfielder, Joe Sannutti, made a great diving catch to the side.
"After the first no-hitter, I got very excited. I was real happy. This time I kept things more inside. It's part of our long-range plan - keep a clear head, stay on track.
"Around the fourth inning, guys were saying, 'You goin' for another no-hitter?' I didn't mind that they were reminding me. I like talking with my teammates. Better than feeling left out."
Of his mother, Charlie said, "Every game I go out there, I'm trying to do something nice for her." *
Send e-mail to silaryt@phillynews.com
