7-1 isn’t too bad
Jeff Carr
February 19, 2013
Filed under Sports
SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/uahuah/Desktop/7-1%20Isnt%20too%20bad.docx
If you ask anyone they will tell you that beginnings are important. First impressions in a business-driven world are everything, same goes for the sports world. The first impression that the baseball team is making this year is stirring excitement in the hearts of Charger fans.
The UAH baseball team (6-1) began the season two weekends ago in St. Augustine, Fla., and went 3-1 in four games. This past weekend they came home for the first three home games of the season. Opposing the Chargers were the Trojans of Trevecca Nazarene, a team searching for a new identity in the Great Midwestern American Conference (GMAC). The men began the season hitting the cover off the ball, scoring 45 runs in their first four games, but struggled a bit from the mound in those games as they gave up 21 runs. What they got in weekend number two was two pitching performances to remember.
Friday was an all-out assault on home plate as the Chargers won a nail-biter, 8-7. First baseman Vincent Kortbawi was the hero of the night as he drove in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Saturday’s doubleheader games needed no dramatic conclusion because the hurlers for the Blue and White finally arrived.
Alex Aultman (1-0), in game one, threw a concise eight innings as he faced only five more batters than the minimum (for 8 IP the minimum would be 24 batters). He also only allowed two runs and seven hits while walking none and striking out four.
Game two saw Mississippi State transfer Andrew Busby start in his second game as a Charger. He threw four innings against Limestone in the first game of the year and gave up two runs, so he decided he wouldn’t give up any in his second start, and he almost did. Busby gave the bullpen a rest by pitching all seven innings of game two. He only gave up one run that went as unearned due to a fielding error. Impressively, Busby fanned seven Trojans while allowing only four to reach base. Trevecca’s hitters found Buzz’s pitching puzzling as only two batters managed to hit the ball in the air (in fair territory, that is).
Not to be outdone, the bats remained hot. UAH scored a total of 28 runs in the three-game home stand. Cody Burton was impressive at the dish as he went 7-9 with five runs scored, four RBIs, and a couple stolen bases. Right behind him was Kortbawi who knocked in five runs and had a triple. UAH received a complete team performance in all three games this weekend, which is the main reason they swept the visiting Trojans.
In all seven games this season UAH is batting an impressive .357 while getting on base at a rate of .444 and slugging .518. Opposing pitchers will have a hard time figuring out this lineup.
This coming Saturday and Sunday they will play the hosts again in the Country Inn & Suites Classic against the visiting Kentucky State Thorobreds. Look for the bats to keep up the pace as Kentucky State gave up just over eight runs a game last year. Saturday’s doubleheader will start at 2 p.m. and Sunday’s doubleheader is slated for a 12 p.m. start time.
