In a captivating showdown between SAR and TABC Storm on April 8th, the Sting emerged victorious by a score of 2-0, showcasing their dominance on the mound with a combined no-hitter.
The game unfolded with Sammy Eis taking the mound for SAR, setting the stage for a pitching duel against TABC’s Ayden Gurin. Eis started the game off with a bang, as he delivered a 1-2-3 inning. SAR wasted no time in making their mark on the scoreboard. Chaim Stark started off the bottom of the first with a single. Moe Jetter’s well-placed RBI allowed Stark to score, giving the Sting a 1-0 lead.
Throughout the game, SAR’s defense shone, making critical plays to maintain their lead. Matthew Milstein’s skills were on display in the third inning when he threw out a runner attempting to steal second base. A double play executed by Stark, Harrison Brooks, and Saul Hochheiser in the fourth ended another scoreless inning for the Storm.
Gurin held SAR’s offense at bay in the third and the fourth innings with two consecutive 1-2-3 frames. The top of the fifth saw a rocky start for Eis with a four-pitch walk and a hit-by-pitch to Michael Greenberg, but he was able to recover with a flyout and two strikeouts to end his portion of the no-hitter. Throughout five innings, Eis delivered a stellar performance, keeping the Storm’s hitters off balance with his eight strikeouts, while allowing zero hits and zero runs.
In the top of the sixth inning, with SAR holding a narrow lead, Jackson Feit took over pitching duties for SAR. Although a catcher interference placed Etai Berkovits on base, Jackson was able to maintain control by garnering two strikeouts and a groundout to conclude the frame.
Gurin started the bottom of the sixth with a walk to Stark, which was followed by a strikeout. Milstein then singled, and Jetter walked. With the bases loaded, Sammy Levine came in to pitch for the Storm. A wild pitch led to Stark scoring, extending the Sting lead to 2-0. Levine quickly got out of the inning with two strikeouts, escaping further damage and keeping TABC’s hopes alive.
In the top of the seventh inning, Feit took the mound and closed out the game in style, with a groundout and two strikeouts, to secure SAR’s 2-0 victory. Feit ended his two innings with a total of four strikeouts and no hits allowed, securing the combined no-hitter. SAR is well-positioned for a strong season, as the Sting look to break Frisch’s dominance and take their first MYHSAL Baseball crown.