Vermont's Harman throws
gem as Pittsfield loses its 5th straight game
By: Michael Radomski
(Montpelier, VT) - Casey
Harman (Clemson) pitched eight scoreless innings of two hit ball
leading the Vermont Mountaineers over the Pittsfield Dukes 2-0 in
their first matchup of the season.
The Clemson student athlete was dominant all evening long retiring
the first nine hitters that he faced, finishing with 8 strikeouts.
Pittsfield starter Michael Ness (Duke) also pitched very well,
holding the Mountaineers scoreless until the bottom of the fourth
inning.
Ness retired the first two hitters by striking out Jeff Mercer
(Wright State ) and inducing Mike Nesbitt (Cypress CC) to ground
out. With two outs and no runners on, Steve Felix (Troy University)
singled and then stole second base. Felix then attempted to steal
third base and the throw from J.T. Musso (BYU) went into left field.
Felix rounded third, pushed Tyler Stampone (William & Mary) to the
ground, and scored the first run of the game.
Vermont would then threaten in the bottom of the fifth inning as
well. An error by Tyler Stampone, followed by back to back singles
would load up the bases with no one out.
Scott Schauer (California) would hit a bloop RBI single to right
field, scoring Gerald Ogrinc (Wright State) that would expand the
lead to 2-0 over Pittsfield.
Kevin Nieto (Manhattan College) then hit a fly ball to right that
Perry Silverman (Canisius) would catch and fire a one-hopper to the
plate to beat a tagging Greg Sherry (Notre Dame) from third. Musso
applied the tag for the second out to complete the double play, and
Ness got Jeff Mercer (Wright State) to ground into the fielder's
choice to end the inning, only allowing one run to score.
In the meantime, Casey Harman was still dealing. He retired the side
1-2-3 on five separate occasions and would turn the ball over to
reliever Alejandro Balsinde (Maine) to shut the door.
Balsinde would allow a two out hit to Jason Krizan (Dallas Baptiste)
to bring up the tying run to the plate in the form of Pittsfield
native Mike Massery (American International). Massery entered the
game in the sixth inning for Tyler Stampone and struck out as a
pinch hitter. In the ninth inning, he would strike out as well to
end the game.
Vermont held on for the 2-0 win in the pitcher's duel at Recreation
Field. Michael Ness would throw a complete game for the Dukes
allowing two runs, both of them unearned, while striking out four in
his eight innings of work.
The Dukes will look to stop their five game losing streak tomorrow
night when they host the Holyoke Blue Sox at Wahconah Park in a five
o'clock contest. Louie Bernardini (Wheaton College) is the probable
starter for Pittsfield. Vermont will have Sunday off and Chris
Pickering (Rhode Island) will be the scheduled starter on Monday for
the Mountaineers when they play at Lowell.
