In his first year on the varsity baseball team at Catholic Memorial School, junior Pat Hurley has earned his letter.

Throwing unstoppable pitches in wins for the Knights against BC High and Xaverian, the lefthander has led the team's pitching efforts and helped earn them a postseason berth as a #13-seed (facing Barnstable this Saturday in the tournament).

Then came last Monday. Facing Brockton in a grinding 0-0 defensive game, Hurley pitched seven perfect innings, and the Knights finally scored on a Coleman Barker walk-off double.

That double officially gave Hurley the no-hitter and the Knights their 10th win of the season.

Though a no-hitter is a rarity for the high school pitcher, it is even more so in the tough Catholic Conference. But it was not the West Roxbury resident's first no-hitter. For the Parkway National Little League team, he'd thrown several when he was younger.

Still, Monday's effort was pretty sweet. "I just wanted to get through that last inning, and just get the win to make it to the playoffs," said the humble Hurley, who was born with only two fingers on his right hand. "I didn't really notice it till the 4th, then I just did the same thing in the dugout, sitting in the same spot, and trying to focus."

"It was a little different as a no-hitter," said Coach Hal Carey '96. "Usually, it ends when you're on the field, so that took a little of the thunder away from Pat. But he was great…it's an impressive accomplishment."