Whisler throws no-hitter for Northwood

Northwood junior Steven Whisler hurled a no-hitter Tuesday in the Timberwolves' 7-0 victory over North Hollywood in the second game of the South Bay Classic in San Pedro.

Whisler (4-4) struck out three, walked three and faced three batters over the minimum to help Northwood improve to 9-7 overall.

It's the first Northwood no-hitter since Chris Horell threw one in 2008 against West Valley of Hemet.

"Steven didn't have his best stuff, but he was incredibly savvy and seemed to know exactly where to put the ball to get the hitters out," Coach Rob Stuart said.

It marked the first no-hitter in Whisler's career.

"I'm kind of shocked, but at the same time, I kind of saw it coming," said Whisler by telephone Tuesday.

After warming up, "I knew it was going to be a good game for me," he said.

"In the fourth inning it kind of hit me and I said, 'I can totally do this.' I totally had the confidence to do it."

There were some anxious moments for Whisler in the fifth inning.

With two outs, a North Hollywood batter looped a fly ball to left field, but Aaron Globerson made a diving catch, providing relief for Whisler.

"That clutch play by Aaron Globerson saved the no-hitter," Whisler said.

Whisler said he threw 90 percent fastballs in the game.

"It was an all-around team effort," he said.

After returning to Irvine, Whisler did what he normally does after starts: ice his arm down and run three miles.

"I do that after every start," he said. "It's like a routine, a superstition."

The junior got plenty of support.

"Steven got 13 ground balls today and our defense played really well," Stuart said. "Offensively we really pounded the ball even though the score doesn't reflect it."