Bristol Knights 9 – Plaza Azteca Indians 0

On Friday, June 1st, we defeated the Plaza Azteca Indians 9-0, bumping our record up to 4-1 in the Manchester Twilight League. This was an impressive feat considering some key points working against the us. First, the Indians started John Skinner on the mound. Skinner has long been one of the areas best twilight league pitchers for a long time. Second, the Knights are coming off a tough come from behind victory against the Indians other long time ace, Brian Pinney… while the Indians were coming off a very tough last inning collapse and loss to Elmers on Thursday. Third, we were missing over half of the regular roster players due to vacations and work conflicts. Lastly, Scott decided to try out our new inexperienced rookie pitcher, Rick Blais on the mound. Amazingly, the Knights were able to overcome everything stacked against them, and defeat the Indians handily.

Rick Blais was very impressive in his Knights debut on the mound. Rick threw a complete game shutout and kept the Indians off balance all day by spotting fastballs and throwing a lot of breaking balls for strikes. The Knights had no idea what to expect of the 25 year old, since this was his first year back playing baseball and pitching since last doing so ten years ago in JV Baseball at Bristol Eastern. Rick stopped playing baseball after his sophomore season and focused on football, where he was the BEHS quarterback. In the baseball off season he met with Knights P/OF Rex Cone and discussed a baseball comeback. Rex knew Blais would throw strikes… and in his debut, that he did. Rick finished with 7 innings pitched, 5 strikeouts, 5 hits, 3 walks, and 0 runs. Not bad after a ten year hiatus.

Since the Knights were so low on players, Scott called in some former regular players that were taking the year off. Eddie Dickman and Dan Beecher were always two of the best players in the Knights first 9 seasons, and Friday, they were key players. Ed caught a superb game behind the plate and Dan had a big first inning 2 out, 2 RBI single. Ed (and maybe Dan) maybe showing up from time to time (especially over the next few weeks while we are without Paul and Drew behind the plate).

Our offense was anchored by our bottom five batters… each getting 2 hits: Scott Dickens (2 singles, run), Ron Pezzullo (2 singles, run, RBI), Ryan Palumbo (double, single, 2 runs, RBI), Jay Gilbert (2 singles, 2 RBI), and Justin Kilker (2 singles, run). Rex Cone also went 1-2 with a single, walk, HBP, run, RBI, and a stolen base.

The Indians spaced 5 hits by five different batters, and had a poor game for them in the field. Skinner threw 4 innings, allowed 7 hits, 2 walks, and 4 earned runs, while striking out 5 Knights.

The Bristol Knights next play a home double header at Muzzy Field this Wednesday evening (June 6th), where they will face the Indians for a third straight game and then the always very tough Willimantic Ridges. This is always a great place to invite your family and friends to come watch a game. Hopefully the weather is decent enough, and we can get these in. Game 1 starts at 6pm and game 2 around 15minutes following game 1. We will have access to the Muzzy locker rooms, and batting cages. So come early, change at the field… and get in some BP… we all could use a little. The field should open for us around 4:45.