Peabody High Pitcher Throws Third No-Hitter Of Year

PEABODY (CBS) – On Wednesday, Peabody High School pitcher Pat Ruotolo pitched his second straight no-hitter. He also had one earlier in the season.

The junior has now no-hit Marblehead, Swampscott, and Salem. He averages almost two strikeouts per inning with a fastball that touches 90 and a sharp breaking curve.

"The fact that Pat has thrown three is unheard of," says Coach Mark Bettencourt.

The streak has not done wonders for dad's blood pressure.

"I enjoy coming to the games when he's not pitching so much more," says Paul Ruotolo.

His coach, a former college pitcher himself, works to keep the 17-year-old ace focused and humble.

"The better you do in athletics the bigger the target grows on your back," says Bettencourt.

Some teammates have jokingly requested that he let a few more guys hit the ball so they don't doze off in the field.

Pat says, "They're always like 'can you throw one right down the middle? We are getting pretty bored out here.'"

Peabody has had some great pitchers over the years, even some no-hitters, but Pat is in uncharted territory.

He will pitch for no-hitter number four on Monday against Lynn Classical. He says he would trade them all in for the chance to be pitching in late June for Peabody's first state championship.