Clarke fueled by pitching, defense

Clarke has hit the ground running on the baseball diamond, knocking off its first three opponents by the combined score of 34-6, behind strong pitching and a near-perfect defense that committed just one error during the stretch.

“We’re very deep [pitching] wise,” coach Tom Abruscato said. “We could probably throw seven or eight guys out there and they are legitimate.”

John Jarosz, the No. 1 starter, lived up to his billing by striking out 12 in just five innings of work to lead the Rams past Floral Park, 12-1 on March 30. The senior’s repertoire includes four pitches — a curveball, slider, change up and fastball — a potent mix that the Knights had trouble adjusting to. Behind Jarosz stand a number of talented arms that could see time in the rotation, including seniors Kevin Mackey, Tim Ingram, Mark Cvitan, junior Chris Appel and sophomore Ryan Fusco. Clarke has already flashed its depth with Ingram, Mackey and senior Mike Amante combining for seven strikeouts over five hitless innings of a season-opening 12-4 victory over Herricks on March 26.

The pitchers are boosted by a defense that’s strong up the middle — and everywhere else for that matter — beginning behind the plate, where senior catcher Mike Aloisio returns after playing every game last season. Aloisio also had a big game at the plate with two hits, two runs scored and a pair of runs batted in the first game against Floral Park. The middle infield is manned by senior second baseman Rob Henderson and Appel at shortstop on days when the latter isn’t on the mound and senior Justin Ragusa patrols centerfield.

Cvitan works the hot corner, while Mackey is across the diamond at first base, with Fusco in right field. Fusco and classmate John Fogarty, who is part of the mix in left field and designated hitter, are the first two underclassmen to play for the Clarke varsity team since 2003. It was Fusco who powered the Rams to a 10-1 win on March 29, and a sweep of Floral Park with a home run, a single and four RBI.