Eagles’ Rocco fires no-hitter

Serra Catholic pitcher Max Rocco gets his sign from catcher Nico Eremic during Wednesday’s game at Boston Field. Mike Darnay / MVI Sports

By ASHLEY CHASE
MVI Sports

It had been five years since a Serra Catholic pitcher threw a no-hitter, but the streak ended Wednesday at Boston Field when Eagles junior Max Rocco tossed a five-inning no-hitter in Serra’s 13-0 victory over Northgate.
Rocco struck out 10 batters and was near-perfect, allowing just one baserunner on a walk – a runner later caught in a rundown while attempting to steal second.
The last Serra Catholic no-hitter came in 2016 when Zach Bowen tossed gems in back-to-back appearances against Clairton and Geibel Catholic.
Rocco caught two batters looking in the first, one in the second, then struck out the side in the third, one in the fourth, and recorded a clean sheet in the fifth to close out the game with three Ks.
“I just got on a roll, really. Once I threw a few strikes, I started getting the hang of it. I try to roll with whatever is happening,” Rocco said.
Rocco is new to the role of starting pitcher this season, his first season starting varsity after not playing since his freshman year due to the pandemic-canceled season in 2020. Improvement takes time and repetitions, and Rocco showed improved control in the no-hit win.
“Everybody supports Max,” said head coach Brian Dzurenda. “Max is raw, he hasn’t done a lot of pitching. He has a great arm, being the quarterback of the football team. I think he’s gaining confidence on the mound and we’re trying to pitch him in the right spots so he’s not overwhelmed.”
“His control is getting a lot better, his off-speed is on more, and he’s gained some velocity,” said catcher Nico Eremic.
Eremic brings experience behind home plate as a first-year starter at catcher, following former standout Mark Black. Eremic has had the task of being the common denominator for Serra Catholic as the Eagles build a stable of starting pitchers, one of the question marks coming into the year.
“Nico is a calming influence but he’s a ball of energy back there. He’s a great captain to have to guide our guys and I wouldn’t want anyone else back there if I had to choose,” Dzurenda said.

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