Bristol Knights 6 – Plaza Azteca (Newington) Indians 3…  Cone outduels Pinney and Meza hits the game winner again.

Thursday Rex Cone took the mound in his second start of the year, after having one of his worst perfomances in recent years in the season opener. This time started out rough again. Rex walked the first 2 batters he faced, had a couple wild pitches, and then gave up an RBI base hit, and a sac fly to plate them. After 1 inning, the Knights were down 2-0. Rex then collected himself, and found the form that has made him the ace and workhorse of the Knights staff the previous 4 seasons. After the first inning, Rex threw 6 innings of no-hit ball, while only allowing one more unearned run in the 5th, and  striking out 4. Rex did have some control issues at points in the game, while walking 6 Indians, but he finished strong with a complete game 1-hitter. Every time they threatened, Rex and the defense came through. The stellar defense was led by some fantastic plays by the middle infielders, short stop Chris Klepps, and second baseman Chris Taylor. The offense was led by Chris Taylor with 2 hits and 2 runs, Rex Cone with 2 hits and 1 run and 1 rbi, rookie Drew Yukelson with 2 hits and 1 run, while Scott Dickens added a sac fly rbi. The big hit of the day, for the second time this year came from Ernie Meza. Ernie had an up and down rookie year with the Knights last year, but has been Mr. Clutch so far in 2012. Ernie had the 2 rbi winning hit last Friday, and did the same against the Indians on Thursday. With the Knights down 3-2, with runners on 2nd and 3rd, and against a fantastic pitcher (Brian Pinney)… Ernie sent a base hit into center field and plated 2. This put the Knights up for good.

In an unfortunate play late in the game, Lucas Nickerson took a throw in the face while diving back into second base. The second baseman caught a line drive and tried to double Lucas off, but the throw was low and caught him right in the area above his right eye… while also cracking the helmet. Get Better Lucas!

The Indians were led by Brian Pinney who threw a complete game for the Plaza Azteca Indians, striking out 6, and only giving up 3 earned runs. Pinney also had the Indians only hit on the day, a first inning rbi base hit.

The Knights next play next Friday, June 1st vs the Indians at East Catholic H.S. in East Hartford.

I know we will be missing a lot of guys in the next few weeks… so make sure Scott is aware with plenty of lead time when you will and won’t be there, and make every effort to be able to play. Thanks.

 

LUCAS PICTURES:

before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the after