Expectations weighed on Dario Pizzano, bore down on him as no pitcher ever could. Coming off a big sophomore season at Columbia University, the former Malden Catholic star was mired in an early-season slump, and he was now 0-for-4 in the last of four games at the University of San Diego in March.

He was trying to do too much, and the result was too little. ''I felt pressure to get a hit in every at-bat,'' he said. ''I came out of my game a little bit.''