Game Recaps
A Can of Corn? No. It was a Gem of a “Kern-el”!
In baseball lore, a “can of corn” is “an easily caught fly ball.” Interestingly, “the phrase, first used in 1896, made reference to a long-ago practice where a grocer would use a stick to tip a can of vegetables off a high shelf, then catch it in his hands or outstretched apron.”*
What does this have to do with this recap of AVB’s 17th game, a 4-2 win over CIT at John Herb Field? Not much, other than this writer’s license to use corny associations!
What do you find in a “can of corn?” Kernels, of course. During the above-noted game, which gave AVB its 6th consecutive win and a season record of 10-6-1, it was Louis “Kern” who turned in an 8-inning gem of a pitching performance. In just his 2nd start of the 2009 campaign, Kern turned in a sterling 13-strikeout performance, while giving up just 2 earned runs on 5 hits. Not to be outdone, Kenny Morris came on in the 9th inning to close out the win and gain a save.
On a night that saw AVB’s potent offense garner only 5 hits, they also managed to work out 5 walks and steal 3 bases — 2 by SS Eddie Skonieczny. Also helping to deny CIT a win, 2 AVB players managed to get hit by pitches (one of which CF Josh Logan cashed in for an RBI), and hit 3 sacrifice flies (one of which earned LF Eric Temple an RBI).
Way to go Louis!
Dukovich Turns In Great Pitching Performance
In perhaps the best pitching performance that this writer has witnessed in the Greater Pittsburgh Federation League, Mike Dukovich turned in a gem for AVB against the River Bandits (RB) on June 16th. Facing a team that included many members from 2008’s AVB team, Dukovich held the opposition to only two singles in turning in a complete-game victory, 4-1.
AVB remained hitless through 4 innings, but RB’s pitcher got a bit wild in the 5th, allowing three hit batsmen, the last of which, Jake Booth (2B), received the RBI. In the bottom of the 7th, Dylan Sauers, the only RB player to connect against Dukovich, singled and then scored on a three-base throwing error.
In this highly anticipated and well-played contest, the score was tied 1-1 entering the 9th inning. With two outs in the top of the frame, AVB put together a three-run rally on singles by Joe Ferraro (DH), Erik Fichter (C), Jake Booth (2B), and Eddie Skonieczny (SS), the last of whom was the hitting star of the game with two hits and two RBIs.
In addition to throwing a complete-game two-hitter, Dukovich turned in four 1-2-3 innings, garnering seven strikeouts, and giving up just 4 walks.
