Pilots no-hit Generals in 4-1 win
June 5, 2011 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Peninsula Pilots News Release
Western Branch graduate and current University of Virginia student, Chad O'Connor, threw six hitless innings Sunday night. O'Connor only allowed two base runners, both walks, and struck out seven. The first runner got on in the first inning and another did not reach until the top of the seventh. O'Connor was then replaced by Army's Logan Lee. This would be the only inning the Generals were able to generate a run. Pinch hitter, Michael Romano, reached on a walk and advanced to second on a passed ball. He advanced and scored on two ground ball outs to shortstop Steve Hodgins. Lee induced a pop up back to him to end the inning. Max Almonte relieved Lee and completed the eighth inning striking out the first batter and having two subsequent ground outs to second baseman Zach Price. Virginia Military Institute's Mike Devine then came in for the ninth and recorded his first save of the season.
"It makes it so much better because four different guys had to have their a-game tonight to make this happen. The seventh, eighth, and ninth are the hardest outs to get so it makes it that much more unique that we were able to do this. I think this shows just how strong our pitching staff is," said O'Connor. He went on to say, "this was the perfect example of a team no-hitter because everyone played a part. Lee made a great play on a line drive back to him and Price also made a diving play to save a hit." There were nine strike outs throughout the game Sunday, which left the defense with the rest of the eighteen outs in the ball game.
Head coach Hank Morgan was not only proud of the pitching, but also of the defense. " A no-hitter is a team accomplishment. Price made a great play, Pinder made some great plays at third, Hodgins was smooth as always, the outfield played extremely well, and the two catchers, Daniel Grauer and Cameron Cecil, did a great job behind the plate. This is a great team accomplishment," said Morgan. Coach Morgan was also especially proud of O'Connor's will to compete. " I'm proud of Chad as a person because he has fully embraced his opportunity to compete and I think that's all he's ever wanted to do. We're giving him that chance and he has proven he is more than capable to be successful."
Not only did the pitching shine tonight, but the Pilots' offense came up big with six hits on the evening. The Pilots scored four runs, which was more than enough to support the pitching staff. Hodgins scored the first run of the night in the first inning. He singled to left field and scored when designated hitter Chas Crane was thrown out on a steal attempt. The next run came in the second inning from third baseman Chad Pinder. Pinder singled to right field, advanced on a single by Grauer, and scored on an RBI single by Price. The Generals were able to hold off the Pilots over the next three innings, but the Pilots struck again in the sixth. Hodgins lead off the sixth with a walk and advanced to third on an error. He was able to score on a passed ball to give the Pilots a 3-0 lead. The last run of the night was scored by Crane in the eighth inning. Crane lead off the inning with a double to right center field and then advanced to third on a ground out by Terrell Joyce. Crane scored the fourth and final run of the night on Jake Atwell's ground ball to the shortstop.
This is only the second combined no-hitter in the history of Pilots baseball. The first no hitter occurred just last year on June 2nd against the Outerbanks Daredevils. Jharel Cotton threw eight innings and was relieved by current Pilot, Coby Cowgill in a 10-0 victory. Other than tonight's no hitter, there have only been 3 combined no-hitters in the history of the Coastal Plain League, which dates back to 1997. However, last night was the first combined no-hitter by more than two pitchers.
On Monday the Pilots return home to face the Morehead City Marlins. Gates will open at 5:30pm with the first pitch at 7:05pm.
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Coastal Plain League Stories from June 5, 2011
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