By Jordan J. Michael

GUILDERLAND –– There’s an unwritten rule in baseball when a pitcher has a no-hitter in the works: Don’t say a word about it.

Dutchmen pitcher Chris Gareau had a no-hitter going into the sixth inning against Averill Park on Monday. “It’s so nerve-wracking and everyone is quiet,” he said after the game. “My teammates weren’t interacting with me, but I don’t really believe in superstition.”

Gareau got Andrew Fasoldt to strike out for the first out in the sixth, but gave up a hit to Tyler Listing after the ball hit the lip in the infield and took off over Jimmy Quinn’s head at shortstop.

“I wish I could have gotten a charity hop on that one,” said Gareau, who ended up pitching a one-hit complete game shutout. The Dutch won, 8 to 0, for its fourth straight victory. “At least we got the win,” said Gareau.

Matt Zanotta, who is now the Section II record holder for home runs in a season with 15, jokingly blamed Quinn for the hit. “That ball bounced way over my head,” said Quinn. “No chance. But, we should get rid of that lip.”

Guilderland’s timely defense backed up Gareau all day. Jack Walsh sprawled out for a diving catch in the first inning and then turned on the jets in the fourth to track down a fly ball that had a chance to drop.

“They put a lot of balls in play,” Gareau said. “The defense behind me was the edge.”

Zanotta made a catch on a fly ball that landed right in front of the Averill Park dugout to end the fifth inning and keep the no-hitter intact. Harry Brodsky and Luke Stark both made impressive diving catches in the outfield.

“The high number of strikes he throws keeps us on our toes,” Quinn said of Gareau.

Dutch Head Coach Doug LaValley knows the unwritten rules when it comes to a no-hitter. “A bunch of the guys were talking about it, but that’s what we don’t want,” he said. “Everyone knows what’s going on.”

Gareau’s last start was against Shenendehowa and LaValley said that he got “beat up a little bit.” However, Gareau was making quick work of the Warriors’ batters on Monday. “He’s capable of a great performance when he throws strikes,” LaValley said.

Gareau used to be a heavy bowler and got close to perfect games before. “It’s like the same kind of throwing pressure,” he said. “I’m always striving for perfection, but I’m not trying to force it.”

Guilderland had a 1-to-0 lead after the first inning. Zanotta reached with a single and then stole second base. Conor Hurley drove Zanotta in with a double to right center field.

“Zanotta is a legit threat and all the focus falls on him,” said LaValley. “But we have plenty of other guys that can hit.”

For example, Quinn and Sean Geisel both drove in a run with the bases loaded in the second inning for a 3-to-0 lead. Nick Mastrianni pinch-hit during a five-run fifth inning and scored two with a gaper. Brodsky hit in the final run with a double.

“We have a good winning streak going,” said Quinn. “Everybody’s on.”

The Dutchmen are now 9-6 in the Suburban Council and LaValley is confident that the team has the sixth seed locked up for sectionals next week. Guilderland will play the third seed from the Big Ten.

“I think we’ve found our path,” said LaValley. “It leads to the semifinals and hopefully beyond.”