Balls Beat: Mimicking the setting for Satellite Tournament #2, once again at the Holy Grounds, the weather was frigid and unpleasant. The Balls hosted King Friday in a two game set Thursday evening with rain falling constantly. Game 1 featured Nick Braden pitching for the Balls, a beast on the mound, Nick racked up a double-digit strike out total and a shut-out. The Balls touched home with a 7 count. Game 2 went on in a similar fashion as Paquin pitched a shut out and also held Friday scoreless. King Friday never put a running in scoring position all series.
Friday Beat: If I can take something positive from the group of veterans that make up King Friday this year it would be that I don’t feel as bad about last season anymore. Jason Hewlett made his KF debut in game 1 and had a rough start. He settled down in the later innings but with N. Braden overpowering the Friday bats it made little difference. The game 2 surprise was rookie first time pitcher Bursey for KF who kept the Ball’s inside the park, and the defense had his back, but Paquin - who was less overpowering but every bit as affective as Braden in game 1 - shut down the offense and helped Holy Balls to sweep the day.
* Injury report* Jason Hewlett was removed in the second inning of game 2 after trouble with an ankle injury suffered in game 1. He is listed as day to day.
