Knight Slings Complete-Game Shutout to Power Staples to LL Title

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Chad Knight has had quite the week. Just three days after getting selected in the 31st round of the MLB Draft by the New York Yankees, Knight hurled a complete-game shutout to lift No. 5 Staples to a 3-0 win over third-ranked Southington (21-4) in the Class LL baseball championship Saturday at Palmer Field.

It was the second state title in three years for Knight and the Wreckers (22-3) and the third state championship in school history.

"I really couldn't ask for anything more," said Knight, who struck out 10 batters and gave up just three hits across all seven innings. "We're state champs, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to go out."

Knight, who will go to Duke next season, allowed hits to Jack Meade and Jake DelMonte in the bottom of the first and then gave up a hit to Bryce Worth in the third. Following Worth's single in the third, Knight retired 12 consecutive batters before walking the first two hitters in the bottom of the seventh. Knight was able to close the game out though, getting Kevin McIntyre to ground into a fielder's choice, striking out Billy Carr, and getting Devan Bade to ground out to second for the game's final out.

Staples head coach Jack McFarland gave the ball to Knight on short rest, and that decision proved to be a good one, even though it sounded like Knight wasn't going to give him much of a choice in the matter.

"There was no way he was not going to give me the ball," Knight said. "I was very grateful to get the ball, and I couldn't have asked for anything more today. Our team played great."

Staples broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning when Kevin Rabacs brought home Benjamin Lewis from third on a sacrifice fly. The Wreckers made it 2-0 in the next frame, taking advantage of a Southington error on a failed pickoff attempt at third base that allowed Zach Zobel to cross home and give his team a 2-0 advantage. Rabacs would score the third run of the game for Staples in the sixth, coming home from third base on a passed ball.

"There's something about this team that was just all business," McFarland said. "They were just gonna win. There was no emotion from them until we won."

Much of that emotion came from Knight, who said after the game that he was going to miss his teammates, coaches, and the fans.

"If we lost and it meant I could play another game with this team, I would have taken that," Knight said. "This is something I'm going to remember forever. I'm gonna miss each one of those guys."

Adam Petro helped power the Staples hitting attack, ripping a double and reaching base two other times on walks. Rabacs, Andrew Moy, Harry Azadian, Drew Rogers, and James D'Amico all also got on base for the Wreckers. Knight, who hit leadoff, finished the game 0-for-3 with an intentional walk.

Story by Jeff Hanouille