(04-20-2013 03:17 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote: Way to bounce back boys...great pitching and D.
Not exactly easy, but our first truly elite level pitching performance in several weeks. AK was back to his dominant self and came up big in what was a "must win" game if there ever was one. And the offense gave Lemond just enough breathing room. Can't blame Zech for being less than dominant as he has seen very little action the past 2 1/2 weeks, and was probably feeling a bit rusty. An elite reliever needs more than one appearance a week to remain in top form.
Game Ball #1: Austin Kubitza (W, 5-2, 7.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 3 BBs, 10 Ks) in a no-brainer. Our ace came up with the big game performance when we needed it most, and our offense (or Pruitt's pitching) gave him no margin for error whatsoever.
Game Ball #2: Michael Ratterree (2-4, HR#4, run, 2 RBIs) continued his resurgence with his third HR in the past four games, and pretty much put the game away in the 9th.
Game Ball #3: In a surprise pick, I'm giving this one to Geoff Perrott, despite his 0-3 showing at the plate. His 3rd inning sac bunt moved Aquino into the scoring position, and allowed us to score a run without a hit; a run that proved to be the game-winner....and his gunning down the leadoff baserunner in the bottom of the 8th inning (with the score stil 1-0) might have been the biggest play of the game. And, of course, he did his usual great job handling the pitchers and blocking pitches as we recorded our 8th shutout of the season.
Great win, but it means little unless we do it once again tomorrow afternoon in the series finale. Big John Simms needs to be at his best....and the offense needs to come ready to some real damage on UH's second tier pitchers. Let's take the series and head into the break feeling good about ourselves. Go Owls!
