Thursday Apr. 9, 2009

Green Hope wins Hilltop Tourney opener over East Chapel Hill 6-0

GH avenged it's only loss so far this year against ECH, behind the shut-out pitching of Max Povse. Povse has now gone the distance, pitching complete game shutouts, in his last 2 outings. In addition, GH pitching has not allowed a run in the last 21 innings pitched (15 by Povse) - and GH has outscored it's opponents 24-0 in those 21 innings - helping to get GH ranked #7 in the state.

The big problem with being ranked, is that everyone is gunning for you, and ECH was very excited about the prospect of beating GH for a second time this year. The game was close throughout, with the difference being Povse able to shut down ECH, aided by a clutch catch by CF David Josam, when ECH looked to be mounting a threat in the 6th.

A key for GH was to establish a lead, and they did that in the 1st inning. With 2 outs, Joe Pistacchio doubled down the left field line, and scored on a hit to right by Nolan Poythress which the ECH right fielder lost in the sun. After walks to Adam Boghosian and Brent McLeroy loaded the bases, Povse hit a grounder to short which was booted for GH's second run - GH 2-0. It could be argued that no runs should have scored that inning off ECH's starter Steven Gunderson.

GH batters kept up the pressure in virtually every inning, but ECH responded with great defensive plays, in the 2nd by CF Malcolm Huntington-Meath to rob Eric Brady of a hit, and in the 6th by 2B John Ruch to rob Pistacchio of a hit, both plays happening with other runners on base, to prevent a big GH inning.

Still GH chipped away, in the 3rd, with 2 outs, Brent McLeroy doubled to right which could have been a triple except Brent tripped rounding 1st and was lucky to reach 2nd. Povse followed with a solid single which scored McLeroy - GH 3-0.

In the 4th, Grant Shambley walked to start the inning, Eric Brady hit a high fly to left which the ECH LF never saw and dropped for a double, and Pistacchio singled home both runners to put GH up 5-0. GH added it's final run in the 7th, as McLeroy doubled again (this time managing to cover the 180 feet without falling), advanced to 3rd on an infield single by Will Yoder, and scored on a balk by the ECH pitcher.

GH moves to 10-1 on the year, and will face #9 ranked 3A Glenn tomorrow.