By Jeff Appelblatt
As a starting pitcher, Harry Rutkowski can’t throw every day. But when he has this year, Woodbridge is 2-0 and opponents have been left bent out of shape.
Rutkowski was pulled when he reached 90 pitches in his most recent outing April 9 against North Brunswick Township High School. Justin Silva continued leaving North Brunswick helpless, and Woodbridge won, 3-0.
Woodbridge’s coach Lou Urbano strategically removed his ace when he got to 90 pitches.
“If he threw one more pitch, he would have to have another day,” the coach said.
It’s all hand-in-hand with the new pitch-count rules this year.
“It’s the rule, whether you like it or not,” Urbano said. “Our goal with our pitchers is give us a solid five innings. The idea of a complete game is out the window.”
Usually, the pitch-count rule doesn’t have much of an impact on Rutkowski. As many strikeouts as he gets, he still regularly keeps his pitches thrown to a minimum.
In the first game he threw this year, the upcoming Rutgers University pitcher threw a 79-pitch complete game that included 13 strikeouts.
“He’s just phenomenal,” Urbano said about the Woodbridge standout. “That game was the best he’s thrown. He gave up a walk to the first batter and just gave up two hits the rest of the way.
“Harry has two walks in two starts and never has a high pitch count.”
But pitch No. 91 was looming against North Brunswick, so Urbano got him out of the game. Woodbridge won and got its record to a perfect 5-0.
The one issue with the team Woodbridge’s coach has seen this year is the scoring. The pitchers — Rutkowski, Silva, Carlos Marte, Zach DelValle and the rest of the bullpen — have done what’s asked of them, but Urbano anticipates seeing stronger bats from this point on.
“We’re going to be playing better teams than we’ve played so far, like East Brunswick [High School],” the coach said. “We played some young teams. We’re going to have to hit more.”
When Rutkowski isn’t pitching, he’s eager to hit. In just four plate appearances Rutkowski has two hits, a home run, four RBIs, four runs scored and a stolen base. He’s helped more than many starting pitchers do on their off days.
Zach Joe, meanwhile, has been Woodbridge’s most frequent hitter. The senior got two hits in each of his first three games, and he’s stolen a base in three of the four he played.
With he, Rutkowski and Trevor Cykowski leading the way, Woodbridge’s coach hopes that it continues in the win column.
On the mound, Rutkowski reached 20 career wins in the game vs. North Brunswick. With one more, he ties the Woodbridge record.
“We know he’ll get that soon unless he has some kind of drastic, extreme injury,” Woodbridge’s coach said.
The Barrons prepare for their next game at 4 p.m. April 12 against Arthur L. Johnson High School. The game will be in Woodbridge.
