Errors Cost Curwensville in Pitcher’s Duel Against Moshannon Valley

HOUTZDALE — For baseball fans, one of the games that is often fun to watch is one where there’s not many runs, but instead a battle on the mound.  Seeing one pitcher go one-on-one against the opposition, and neither giving an inch, often makes for some of the better games of the season.

Fresh off a win the day before, the Curwensville Golden Tide loaded up the travel gear to head to Houtzdale.  On the schedule, a contest against the Black Knights of Moshannon Valley, a team that has been stellar this season, and has shown to be difficult to face.

But, Curwensville was up to the challenge, and decided the best pitcher to send to the mound was their ace, Bryce Timko.  His last start, despite getting the loss, was a picturesque 15 strikeout performance, and he was hoping for an afternoon like that in his first action since last Monday.

For the home squad, Alex Kitko got the nod, and entering Tuesday’s game was 3-0 on the season.

Both teams had their top arms on the mound, and both delivered.  Combined, the two gave up five hits all game long, and tossed 16 strikeouts.  But, what made the difference on this afternoon were mistakes.

Curwensville, despite holding down the field for a majority of the game, made inopportune mistakes, and it cost them dearly.  Timko’s seven-strikeout performance was overshadowed by four errors by the Tide defense, two of which came from Timko himself.  Those errors led to extra batters making their way to the plate, and handing the Black Knights the very tough 2-0 win, and also giving the Black Knights the Moshannon Valley League title for 2017.

The bottom of the third inning was when the Black Knights first saw home plate. Jacob Matchock walked to start the inning, but then took advantage of a wild throw in a pick-off attempt by Timko to advance to second.  Kitko then reached on an error by Zach McClure at first base, bringing Matchock to the plate for the first run of the afternoon.

Once in front, Kitko went to work, and kept dealing.  His nine strikeouts earned him the victory on the afternoon, while giving up just two hits and walking one.

In the bottom of the sixth, it was another set of errors that cost Curwensville.  Jacob Ferlitch reached first on another throwing error, this one by Avery Francisco.  Pinch-runner John Daniel then took over at first, and proceeded to steal second.  A wild throw by catcher Austin Butlin moved him to third, in prime scoring position for another run.  Jarrett Wharton provided that on a sacrifice fly, bringing in the second, and ultimately final, run of the game.

Kitko sealed the win in the final inning, retiring the last three in a stretch of 14-consecutive batters going back to the top of the third inning, and also locking up the title for the home team.

Curwensville (2-6) gets some rest before hitting the field again this Friday when they travel to face DuBois Central Catholic.  The game is slated to begin at 4:15 p.m.

SCORE BY INNING

Curwensville   000 000 0 – 0 2 4
Moshannon Valley   001 001 X – 2 3 0

Curwensville – 0

Noah VonGunden SS 3000, Josh Terry CF 3000, Avery Francisco 2B 3010, Bryce Timko P 3000, Zach McClure 1B 3000, Christian Bakaysa LF 2000, Austin Butlin C 1000, Jeremiah Farley 3B 2000, Ralph Evans DH 2010, Matt Carter RF 0000.  TOTALS 22 0 2 0.

Moshannon Valley – 2

Alex Kitko P 3000, Nick Kitko SS 3010, Jacob Ferlitch C 3110, John Daniel 3B 3000, Jarrett Wharton CF 3011, Owen Campbell 1B 3000, Matt Marinel RF 0000, Caleb Gresh DH 2000, Peyton Smith 2B 2000, Jacob Matchock 2B 1100.  TOTALS 23 2 3 1.

E:  McClure, Francisco, Timko, Butlin.  LOB:  CV-2, MV-4.  GIDP-VonGunden.  SB-Ferlitch.  SAC-Wharton.

PITCHING

Curwensville:  Timko-6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 7 K, 1 BB.

Moshannon Valley:  A. Kitko-7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 9 K, 1 BB.

WP-A. Kitko (4-0).  LP-Timko (0-3).

Golden Tide Scoreboard: