GROTON, Mass. -- John Paone's nightmares about the 2024 ISL Tournament championship game figure to end.
The Lawrence Academy ace found redemption in this year's ISL Tournament Championship, shutting down Belmont Hill over the final five innings in a 5-3 victory. Paone was the pitcher of record in Lawrence Academy's 2-1 loss to St. Sebastian's School in last year's ISL title game.
"That loss last year haunted me," Paone said. "It's been in my nightmares for a while. Having a chance for a get-back -- even though it's not St. Sebastian's -- was phenomenal."
Paone, a Duke commit who pitched seven innings in Lawrence's quarterfinal-round victory over Tabor Academy on Wednesday, entered today's game with his team trailing Belmont Hill 2-0 in the top of the third. He slammed the door on the Sextants' offense, allowing just one earned run, one hit, and one walk in five innings. He recorded seven strikeouts and threw 51 of 74 pitches for strikes. In his two tournament outings, the reigning ISL Pitcher of the Year was 2-0 with a 1.75 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 12 innings.
