KNIGHT TO REMEMBER: Westport Little League’s Chad Knight used 78-mph heat to record 14 of 18 outs via strikeout in the New England final and put the Connecticut squad in the Little League World Series. (Mark F. Conrad)
KNIGHT TO REMEMBER: Westport Little League’s Chad Knight used 78-mph heat to record 14 of 18 outs via strikeout in the New England final and put the Connecticut squad (inset) in the Little League World Series. (Mark Conrad (2))
Matt Harvey may be the second-most popular pitcher from the state of Connecticut this week.
First place belongs to Chad Knight.
Westport Little League would not be in Williamsport, Pa., for the 16-team Little League World Series without him.
Knight, a 12-year-old fireballing right-hander of Taiwanese descent, pitched the Connecticut youngsters to the LLWS on Saturday night — just a few weeks after the league won its first state title — by striking out 14 and allowing just a bunt single and one walk in six innings in a thrilling 1-0 victory over Lincoln (R.I) Little League in the New England Regional final.
“All of us had this dream and we’re just living it,” said the 5-foot-8 Knight, who was featured on SportsCenter’s “Top 10 Plays” the night of the regional final. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. How many kids get to be in that situation? I figured, ‘Let’s go win this thing, let’s go to the Little League World Series, and finish our dream.’ ”
Knight, who has been clocked with a 78-mph fastball — equivalent to a 101-mph heater at 60 feet — made it possible with his brilliant performance. It hardly surprised Westport manager Tim Rogers.
“He’s got all the key ingredients,” Rogers said. “He’s got the good fastball, the good curveball and the good command. And he’s got good presence. He’s poised. He doesn’t get caught up in the moment.”
From the time Rogers met Knight four years ago, he has seen that quality grow. Knight prides himself on not losing his cool, just like his idol, Mariano Rivera. Knight had a pitching lesson in the spring with the immortal Yankees closer — set up through teammate Dylan Chase’s father — during which Rivera emphasized that key ingredient.
“He said, ‘Don’t let anything bother you [on the mound], have fun while you’re doing it, just be locked in and enjoy what you do,’ ” recalled Knight, who began pitching at the age of 8. “It was really unbelievable. Dylan and I are both Yankee fans. When you see your idol walk through that door — this is Mariano Rivera — it’s really an amazing thing to see him right there.”
Knight also fashions his mound style after Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson.
“I try to read the hitter’s body language. If he looks confident, I’ll give him a stare, try to intimidate him,” he said. “Maybe he’ll move back in the box. I’ll go after him, with that mentality, ‘I’m going to beat you.’ I love being in that big moment when everybody is looking at you, you’re the center of attention, you’re controlling the game.”
While Knight was the star of the New England Regional, his co-ace, Harry Azadian, has been just as important to Westport. When Knight struggled in the opener, Azadian delivered 4 1/3 no-hit innings as Westport rallied for a 9-2 win over South Burlington (Vt.) Little League. Azadian also tossed 4 2/3 shutout frames in the semifinal, 3-0 win over Saco (Maine) Little League. In the regional tournament, the two combined for 70 percent of Westport’s innings (24 2/3), five wins, one save and a microscopic 0.73 ERA.
In previous summers, Knight was the team’s clear-cut ace and Azadian the No. 2, but Azadian emerged this spring and summer after developing a vicious curveball.
“It’s one of the best curveballs I’ve ever seen at our age,” Knight said.
Rogers has not decided who will get the ball to open the tournament Thursday against Nashville, Tenn., at Lamade Stadium at 7 p.m. Whoever gets the ball, the other will be ready for the next game — much like a title-winning pair of aces who ought to be familiar to young Yankees fans.
“It’s almost like [Curt] Schilling and Randy Johnson,” Knight said.