Patchogue-Medford baseball's Josh Knoth throws perfect game
Patchogue-Medford High School pitcher Josh Knoth looks ahead during a Suffolk baseball game against Sachem North on Thursday June, 10 2021, at Sachem North High School. Credit: Bob Sorensen
Patchogue-Medford junior righthander Josh Knoth was one strike away from perfection on Wednesday. He had two outs in the top of the seventh inning and a 2-2 count on the batter.
Perfection was right in front of Knoth. And then it was right in front of catcher Bryan Frascogna.
Frascogna called for a breaking ball and Knoth buried the pitch in front of Frascogna as the batter swung and missed. The sophomore blocked the pitch and made the throw to first baseman Rob Melo for the final out to complete a 13-0 win over Riverhead in a Suffolk League I baseball game.
The duo was perfect.
According to Newsday records, it is believed to be the first perfect game in Patchogue-Medford history.
“It’s definitely the first perfect game in my 22 years as head coach,” said Patchogue-Medford coach Anthony Frascogna.
The 16-year-old Knoth tied a school record with 20 strikeouts. Baltimore Orioles righty Matt Vogel, currently pitching in Norfolk-AAA, struck out 20 against Brentwood in 2013. And Chicago Cubs righty Marcus Stroman struck out 16 in a one-hitter over Brentwood in 2009.
“It was a low stress play,” Frascogna said of the final pitch. “Bryan had the confidence to call the breaking ball. There was never a doubt he’d finish the play.”
Knoth threw 80 pitches and only went to a full count on two batters. Both went down looking at strike three.
“His velocity has been between 90-91 and his slider has been unhittable,” Frascogna said.
Knoth allowed only one ball to be put in play. And it was not an easy out.
With one out in the sixth, the only ball in play was hit off the end of the bat and bounced slowly toward second. It spun out of Knoth’s reach.
“I barely missed it off the bat and it rolled toward Frankie,” Knoth said. “It wasn’t an easy play.”
Freshman Frankie Kentoffio charged onto the grass, gloved the ball and made a quick but low throw toward Melo, who made a nice catch, for the out.
Knoth, who is 6-1, 180 pounds, flirted with a perfect game against Brentwood earlier in March. He was removed after 5 2/3 innings because of the cold weather.
“It was an arm care decision,” Frascogna said. “It was very cold.”
Knoth is 4-0 with 63 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. He’s only allowed three hits, including two opposite field doubles, and walked none. The low-key Knoth said the achievement is exciting for everyone.
“It’s a great accomplishment,” he said. “To my knowledge, I’ve never thrown a perfect game before at any level.”
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
