LONDONDERRY -- Nothing catches the attention of a college baseball coach quite like the pop of a fastball landing into a catcher's mitt while registering 91 MPH on a radar gun.

Londonderry righty Ryan Moloney fired the attention-grabbing heater at the fourth annual Londonderry Summer Pitching Showcase, which immediately ended all small talk between some 25 college coaches, representing about 20 New England baseball programs, gathered under a canopied bleacher behind the backstop.

Instead, coaches began scribbling notes on clipboards before aiming their radar guns to Moloney's next offering. The Lancers' senior was one of 22 underclass high school pitchers from New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts eager for a chance to impress coaches representing NCAA Division I, II and III teams.

Coaches wore dark sunglasses, which covered their appraising looks, while pointing radar guns. The list of schools represented Wednesday afternoon at Lancer Park included Sienna College, Northeastern University, the University of Connecticut and Hartford as well as New Hampshire's baseball programs from St. Anselm College and Southern New Hampshire University.

“I tried not to look over there, because if I did I knew I would end up overthrowing the ball,” said Moloney, who couldn't recall breaking 90 miles per hour before. “I just wanted to make a good impression and focus on hitting the mitt with all three pitches.”

Though unable to comment publicly about scholastic players, college coaches from Division I and II programs were impressed with Moloney, whose performance at the 2011 Londonderry showcase also raised some eyebrows.

Rookie southpaw participants Carmen Giampetruzzi, a 6-foot-3 Trinity of Manchester junior and Merrimack senior 6-foot-4 Matt Wojciak made good first impressions. Both possess big athletic frames, smooth deliveries, great academic grades and plenty of potential.

“It's the most guns I ever faced so far,” said Giampetruzzi, the Pioneers starting quarterback, small forward and ace pitcher. His fastball topped out at 83 MPH, which was eye-popping good, considering his age and the fact that he doesn't play baseball year round.

“He's good now and he's only going to get bigger and stronger. He has a big upside and college coaches know it,” said Trinity coach Ed Poisson.

Wojciak's fastball consistently registered in the mid-80s. He snapped off some nasty looking curves. Seniors Tyler Barss of Goffstown and David Drouin from Merrimack Valley of Penacook unleashed fastballs nearly reaching Moloney's speed.

Each hurler threw about 25 pitches with catchers Colby Joncas (Londonderry), Matt Fortin (Nashua North), Adam Routhier (Goffstown), Mickey Gasper (Merrimack) and Cam Douglas (Milford) alternating duties behind the plate on the first hot and humid afternoon of the summer.

“The whole point of doing this is getting kids exposure,” said Brent Demas, the Londonderry baseball coach and one of the event organizers. Unlike other showcase events, pitchers pay no participation fee. Demas invited performers based on recommendations from high school coaches and requests of college coaches.

“We put in countless hours organizing this. I hope it pays off for some of these kids someday,” said Demas.

New Hampshire pitchers at the showcase also included Autrey Gates, Pembroke; Tom Corey, Londonderry; Kyle McCarthy, Bishop Guertin; Ethan Joyce, Exeter; Rob DelSignore, Londonderry; Josh LeBlanc, Conant; Jeff Peterson, Windham; Matt Morais, Bishop Guertin; Jeff Lunn, Bishop Guertin; Anthony Lupi, Dover; Mike Robert, Nashua North and Josh Partridge, Concord.

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Eric Emmerling may be reached at eemmerling@unionleader.com.