As Norman Thomas slugger Alberto Morales jogged back to the plate after a ringing foul ball, James Madison coach Vinny Caiazza overheard him say Eddie Lenahan “has nothing,” under his breath.
It’s not the first time Caiazza has heard an opposing hitter denigrate Lenahan for his lack of stuff. And it won’t be the last. By the end of the day, however, the opposition almost always has kind words for the right-hander. Norman Thomas did, tipping their cap, after Lenahan beat them for his third career playoff victory and second in six days by allowing four hits, striking out four, and allowing one earned run in 5-2/3 in a 4-2 victory.
“I had a lot of adrenaline,” he said. “I had to pitch my game.”
Lenahan, a gritty senior, lacks sizzle. He doesn’t throw in the mid or upper 80s. His breaking ball and changeup are effective, but not unhittable. The only thing that stands out about him is his record. He’s 13-1 the last two years — and 7-0 this season — for Madison with victories over citywide powers Telecommunications, Tottenville, Norman Thomas and Fort Hamilton.
He pounds the strike zone, mixes up his pitches well to each side of the plate, and isn’t afraid to keep his fielders busy. Lenahan lost to perennial power James Monroe in the PSAL Class A semifinals last year, but he was solid against a lineup featuring several pro prospects.
“He’s prime time,” left fielder John Yuksekol said. “He’s been doing this all his life.”
Lenahan accurately represents Madison’s successful baseball program. He doesn’t have an eye-opening skill set, but is consistently effective. The Knights have reached the PSAL Class A semifinals the last three years – the only team to do so – without that one superstar. Lenahan has been the staff ace the last two seasons, without an out pitch or overwhelming velocity.
“He battles, he’s a bulldog,” Caiazza said, a phrase he has often repeated when discussing Lenahan. “He’s never gonna be the best pitcher in the city – look at his [stocky] build – but I can’t say enough about him. He does what he has to do to win.”
Like his teammates, Lenahan takes pride in the Knights’ cohesion and all-for-one belief. They take pride in beating teams loaded with stars without having one of their own, that a group of above-average players on the same page can perennially be among the city’s best.
“We don’t look for one person,” Lenahan said.
Perhaps, but if there is one game to win, Lenahan is getting the ball. He’s the closest thing Madison has to a star.