For any pitcher, from high school to the majors, throwing a no-hitter is somewhat of a distant reality, an event that comes around maybe once in a career. For Mason Kapelanski ‘14, this dream became a reality on the mound against Yorktown High School (VA) on Saturday during the 3rd Annual Bill Bowman Tournament sponsored by St. Alban’s School in Washington, D.C.
The humble junior didn’t even know of his accomplishment until the game was over and he entered the dugout.
“Everyone was giving me hugs and shaking my hand and congratulating me and I couldn’t figure out why. I just thought they were happy that we won. Then finally someone came out with it and a big smile ran across my face.”
The game started out as a pitchers’ duel with no runs coming from either ball club until late in the game.
Having to wait that long for some run support was a little nerve-racking for Kapelanski, but Loyola’s offense finally broke through in the 6th, scoring all 14 of their runs in the final two innings. Bruce Zimmerman had four hits for Loyola, while Conor Reynolds and Trevor Janoskie had three hits each.
“I wasn’t really keeping track of how many hits I had or hadn't given up throughout the game and I don’t think my coaches were either. They finally realized it during the last three outs."
Kapelanski said not knowing about the no-hitter kept him more focused.
"I was thinking about each individual out, rather than getting ahead of myself.”
Kapelanski doesn’t think of himself as a strikeout pitcher, but that could be up for debate after striking out eight batters during his performance on Saturday.
“I often rely on the guys behind me to help get the job done, but this time my pitches were just falling in the right places.”
Kapelanski attributes his success this year to just about everyone but himself.
“Every time I’ve pitched this year, I’ve gotten good run support. It doesn’t always happen for every pitcher that goes out there, so I’ve been lucky to be going out there when our bats have been hot.”
He also owes his interest in pitching and baseball to his 21-year-old brother, who was a pitcher for Century High School in Eldersburg, Md.
“Watching him play when I was younger really got me into the game," said Kapelanski. “I even pitch righty and bat lefty; the same as him."
When Kapelanski broke his arm at 13, it took a lot out of him. He knew he had to come back stronger and his brother and family really stood behind him in this.
As for Loyola’s coaching staff, Kapelanski had nothing but great things to say.
“I’m on board with Coach Crowley’s style. What he has done for the team is great. He is giving all of us chances to show what we can do. I had a rough winter and Coach Crowley stuck with me into the spring.”
One wouldn’t suspect Kapelanski had a rough offseason, nor would one think this was his first year on varsity with an undefeated 5-0 record so far this season.
After being asked if he’s peaked at the age of 16, Mason replied, “I sure hope not.”
After his final year at Loyola next year, Kapelanski hopes to continue his baseball career at Cornell, Michigan or Penn. His ultimate dream would be to play for the Detroit Tigers, but he is taking it one step at a time.
Surprisingly, this wasn’t the first no-hitter for Kapelanski. When he was 12, he pitched a no-hitter on his Cooperstown travel team, again without even knowing it.
“The other team had four runs on the board, but it turned out those four runs were all unearned due to errors. Obviously this time around it feels a little better with the shutout and the level of competition that I faced.”
Kapelanski will look to win his sixth straight either Friday vs. Archbishop Spalding or Saturday afternoon vs. Mount St. Joseph.
Dons win 3rd Annual Bill Bowman Tournament:
In the championship game, Loyola defeated Avalon School 6-0 behind a two-hit shutout by Eric McDonough, who went the distance. Billy Plunkett had two hits and two RBI, while Joey Dinoto and Stetson Cox also added two hits.
With the victories, Loyola Baseball raised its overall record to 19-9 on the season.