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(continued from previous post)
And Kory Jackson bounces harmlessly to Luke Hinder at second for the first out here in the bottom of the 5th. In case you're just joining us, we've got quite the pitcher's duel here at Lorris City Park today. The Scouts put two men on in the first on a passed ball third strike and a walk, but there hasn't been a Gentry Hills player on base since. Likewise, the only Greens player to reach base was Cliff Rock who walked leading off the second.
Here's Keith Coulibaly to try and get something going for the home team. The pitch... he fouls the fastball straight back. Allen Storey on the hill, again, for Gentry Hills. Doesn't throw too hard, relies on a change of speeds. Here he is with the 0-1 pitch, Higgins sets up inside.... there's a drive! The ball is back... way back... GONE! Coulibaly caught a hanging curve and blasted it over the center field fence for a home run, and the Greens are on the board first.
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You hate to see that happen, when a pitcher is going like Boykin has been. Nice to see the Greens put those 4 runs on the board, and it's now 8-0, but a long inning coupled with Boykin making the third out there in the bottom of the 8th... well, you only hope that it won't affect him. Boykin finishes his warmup tosses, and walks around behind the mound as he gets ready to stare Bay League history right in the eyes. We haven't had a baserunner for the Scouts since that shaky first inning, and neither of those men reached via the base hit. I won't say what Boykin's trying to do, but hopefully you fans out there know what I'm getting at.
Here's pinch hitter Chauncey Butler to bat for the pitcher Davis. Butler hitting .250 in limited duty this season. Boykin looks in for the sign, Jackson puts it down. Boykin set, to the windup... a swing and a high fly ball into left field. Cliff Rock drifts in, and that's an easy play for the first out here in the top of the 9th. Don't forget, Greens fans, to stay tuned for today's post-game interviews, stats and stories.
Eugene Ashman stands in, one of just two baserunners for the Scouts today. The speedster takes a ball outside to start the at-bat. Hard to believe, after the uncertain start to this game for Boykin, that he'd turn in such a dominating performance this afternoon. The 1-0 pitch... pops him up! Sam Webster waves off his teammates, puts up the glove... that's the second out.
Just Rod Higgins stands between Mark Boykin and Bay League history. The big catcher digs in, waggles the bat and awaits the offering. Strike one, fastball right over the heart of the plate. That was the pitch Higgins needed to be swinging at, and you can tell he's upset with himself for watching that ball pass. He steps out of the box, adjusts his helmet, now he's back in. Boykin takes a deep breath. It has to be going through his mind too, those zeroes up on the scoreboard. The 0-1 pitch... ball 1, down and away with the curveball. Trying to throw that groundball. All even now, 1-1.
Higgins ready, Boykin sets... Higgins grounds one out to short. Dely in, fields, throws... THAT'S IT! Mark Boykin has thrown the first no-hitter in Bay League history! The Greens are pouring out of the dugout and mobbing their teammate! What a dazzling performance by Mark Boykin today, baseball fans, what a performance. No runs, no hits, one walk and eight strikeouts, just 101 pitches thrown for the 35-year old Boykin, who is buried in a sea of Greens players, coaches and batboys. Tip your cap, Mark, and enjoy the moment. Our hats are certainly off to you!
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Jeff Watson
Former dynasty writer and online league player, now mostly retired
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