Another no-no for McNamara

Updated: April 14, 2011 2:16PM

He works faster than Sox pitcher Mark Buerhle on the mound.

He's animated and extremely interactive - talking to opposing hitters, teammates, even himself.

When he ended the top of the fourth inning with two of his eight strikeouts, Lake Central left-handed pitcher Jimmy McNamara did a little dance as he crossed the third-base line and headed toward the dugout.

Why shouldn't McNamara dance?

He was on the verge of throwing his second no-hitter already this season.

An inning later, the junior had accomplished the feat, leading Lake Central (9-0, 1-0) to a 10-0 win over LaPorte (6-3, 0-1) in the Duneland Conference opener for both teams Tuesday.

In 14 innings this spring, McNamara (2-0) hasn't allowed any hits and has 27 strikeouts.

"What he's doing now is just special," Indians coach Jeff Sandor said. "He gets really excited when he's out there. He just loves being out there. He loves the game. He loves playing sports, and it shows. He's just a fun kid. He's our energizer whether he's playing or not playing. He's like that in the dugout, too."

McNamara's performance so far this year has even surprised him.

Two no-hitters in two starts is pretty incredible.

"I can't even explain it," he said. "I wouldn't expect anything like this at all. It feels great. To 10-run LaPorte … and just be hitting the ball like we are, fielding like we are, and pitching like this, is amazing. The team's been playing great behind me. I love these guys."

The most incredible defensive play was made by second baseman Eddie Moldenhauer, who robbed LaPorte's David Eldridge to begin the top of the fifth inning. Moldenhauer dove to his right, got up, and threw out Eldridge to preserve the no-hitter.

McNamara received all the help he needed offensively from senior Brandon Cloutier, who went 3-for-3, including a three-run homer, and drove in six runs. Cloutier also had a two-run double and a run-scoring double.

Cloutier's homer was his third, and the 20th for the Indians, who hit 22 all of last season.

"It was a great day," he said. "I think we've shocked some people with the way we've been playing early in the season, and we're going to continue to shock a lot of people."

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