Slow Pace Kept Bats Quiet For Berkshire

Published on August 4, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Berkshire Black Bears News Release


It is not often that a 2-1 pitchers' duel goes close to three and a half hours in length. The Black Bears failed to pick up the win in their first home game of August, dropping a tight one, 2-1 to the North Shore Spirit, a game that lasted three hours and nineteen minutes at historic Wahconah Park.

The Spirit first baseman, Fran Riordan hit an RBI double in the second to open the scoring tonight. In the fourth inning, the Black Bears tied it at one when Pete Paciorek smashed the ball to right, allowing Manny Crespo to score from second. However, North Shore took the lead again in the sixth inning. Spirit second baseman Marcos Agramonte reached on a two-base error when Crespo misplayed a fly ball to left. John Schmitz would strike the game winning RBI single, giving the Spirit a 2-1 lead. North Shore reliever Chad Bircher effectively ended the contest, coming on to shutout the Berkshire offense in three innings of work. Bircher was methodical on the mound, slowly killing any Berkshire momentum by taking large amounts of time between pitches, which drew out an already slow game, but also accomplished the task at hand; blanking the Black Bears.

The Black Bears starter, Tony Harden fell to 7-3 with the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) and four hits with eight strikeouts over six and 2/3. The Spirit starter Wes Crawford (3-1) picked up the win, giving up only one run and four hits with six strikeouts over six innings. Bircher gave up two hits, a walk and no runs while striking out three to pick up his fourth save of the season.

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Canadian American League Stories from August 4, 2003


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