CURWENSVILLE – Elk County Catholic (ECC) senior pitcher, Nick Brennen, picked up his third win of the season on Monday as the Crusaders knocked off the previously undefeated Curwensville Golden Tide, 2-0.
Brennen was simply magnificent in throwing a one-hit shutout that included a sizzling 17 strikeout effort. The only hit the Tide could muster was by sophomore Jed Greslick who stroked a single in the fourth inning.
Ben McGary went the distance once again for Curwensville and pretty much matched Brennen pitch for pitch. The Tide junior lefty gave up only four hits while striking out nine in what was the best pitching duel of the season.
Tide head coach Ryan Briskar praised both hurlers, “Brennen was just a horse out there today. My hat is off to him for a great performance. He really silenced our bats.” Then about his own pitcher, “Give Ben (McGary) his due also. He was pretty darn good himself and didn’t blink an eye against Brennen. He kept us in the game, the whole game. That’s all you can ask of the kid. He gave us a chance to win. Unfortunately our bats were kept quiet today.”
Both pitchers walked only two batters each, in what was once again, a classic pitching duel.
ECC scored the games only runs in the top of the fifth to pick up their fourth victory against two losses. Crusader Matt Schreiber picked up a single to lead off. One out later, Tom Jovenitti put down a sacrifice bunt but actually beat it out giving ECC runners at first and second with one out.
A fielder’s choice moved the Crusader runners to second and third. Catcher Cody Herzing then delivered a double just inches inside the right field line to score both Schreiber and Jovenitti. The Tide’s right fielder, Wes McGarry, just missed by inches making a spectacular circus catch on the Herzing double.
In 2007 the two spilt, with ECC winning the first game, 7-6, and the Golden Tide the second contest, 7-3.
The Tide are now are 5-1 on the 2008 season and will entertain Glendale at home on Tuesday at 4:15 pm.
Briskar is anxious to get back on the field, “The best way to get over this loss is to get right back at it. I am sure the guys can’t wait to take on Glendale tomorrow (Tuesday) and try to get back on track.”
Next up for Elk County Catholic is a home game on Tuesday against Brookville.
ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC – Tom Schneider cf 3010, Cody Herzing c 2012, Nick Brennen p 3000, Josh Lovenduski 1b 3000, Dan Hawkins 2b 3000, Andy Wehler ss 3000, Matt Schreiber 3b 2110, Kyle Horchen dh 3000, Kyle Garner lf 0000, Tom Jovenitti rf 3110. TOTALS 25 2 4 2
CURWENSVILLE – Ben McGary p 3000, Jed Greslick lf 2010, Brett McCracken ss 3000, Trevor Horton dh 3000, Jonathan Michaels ph 1000, Jesse Hoover 2b 3000, Sam Gardner cf 1000, Cory Bloom c 2000, Brett Sutika ph 1000, Mark Dell’Antonio 1b 2000, Wes McGarry rf 2000, Andrew Straw 3b 0000 TOTALS 22 0 1 0
SCORE BY INNINGS R H E
ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC 000 020 0 2 4 0
CURWENSVILLE 000 000 0 0 1 1
ERRORS- Straw. LOB – CURWENSVILLE – 2 ECC – 4. SB – Greslick. 2b – Herzing.
PITCHING IP H R ER BB K
ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC
Brennen 7 1 0 0 2 17
CURWENSVILLE
McGary 7 4 2 2 2 9
WP – Brennen (3-0) LP – McGary (2-1)