CARY, N.C. -
Game One:
There seemed to be something special in the air as the Pacers prepared for their 4th double header of the young season. The Pacers were slated to finish off their series against Johnson and Wales University with two seven-inning games on another brisk March evening.
Although intangible at first, the Pacers quickly used all of the positive energy they could gather up into creating the first fast start of the year. Senior pitcher Jack McIntosh cruised through the first two frames, retiring 6 of the first 7 Wildcat hitters.
The poise of McIntosh seemed to be contagious as the Pacers got to work in their offensive half of the second. Back-to-back doubles by Nevin Norville and Griffin Sandstrum resulted in the Pacers drawing first blood, as Sandstrum's would drive in a pair. Kyle Peters would score Sandstrum with a SAC fly and the Pacers were experiencing their first comfortable lead of the year.
A 3 run deficit felt like more than enough with the veteran McIntosh on the bump. McIntosh threw 2 more zeros up in the 3rd and 4th while the Pacer bats continued to make noise. A manufactured run in the bottom of the 3rd, and a crooked number in the 4th put the Pacers up a touchdown.
The young guns contributed the second wave of offense, coming from the likes of Freshmen Caden French and sophomore Nick Weisner, whose 2 RBI single really drove the knife in early to the Wildcats.
Although a defensive mishap and a couple barrels showed Johnson and Wales still had some fight, the young Pacer offense provided a knockout punch as Caden French and fellow freshman Justin Earle both drove in runs.
It's hard to overstate the performance of senior, old reliable Jack McIntosh who threw a complete game in under 100 pitches. When the Pacers desperately needed a win, McIntosh put them in the best position to do so.
The joy that rang through the NTC once the final out was recorded. "It was a relief," said Head Coach Charlie Long. "We showed some really good things and our young guys played really well."
That they did, the Pacers charged into the win column in game one, providing all the momentum needed for game two.
Game Two:
The Pacers would go from established veteran to freshman hurler Alejandro Posluszny for game two of the double header. Posluszny, making his 3rd start of the season, has shown promise, and this was another opportunity to build upon his body of work.
The Wildcats were poised to bounce back in game two, sending six batters to the plate in the first. However, Posluszny was able to navigate and only allow one run after a few walks had put the pressure on.
The Pacers wouldn't wait too long to respond, as they took to the bats in the bottom of the second. An Ian Turner single and a two out Griffin Sandstrum walk set the stage for sophomore Leland Barrow. Barrow launched a pop fly straight into the cold, misty sky, contact that seemed to be a certain out. However, the swirling wind gave the Pacers their first kind "bounce" of the year as the pop fly fell to the turf, scoring both baserunners.
Unhappy with the unlucky break, the Wildcats quickly recaptured the lead in the top of the third with patience at the plate. Two walks and two hit-by-pitches were the details of the Wildcat offensive "push."
The back-and-forth start continued in the bottom half of the third as Jacob Herzber came around to score after walking. Nick Tubolino pushed the sophomore second baseman across with an RBI groundout.
An efficient 4th was thrown by Ethan Mieldezis, who had come in to record a boisterous out in the 3rd as well. The Pacer offense was retired in order as well in the 4th, maintaining the tie.
Eli Crowley relieved Mieldezis, providing another zero after pushing the Wildcats into a double play. The bottom of the 5th saw freshman Caden French reach base again on a breakout day for the youngster. 3 batters later, Nick Tubolino roped a ball down the left field line, scoring French and setting the Pacer dugout and faithful on fire. The energy, momentum, and sheer amount of joy felt like a landslide cascading across field 4 of the USA NTC.
Sophomore Ethan Hummel climbed the mound in the top of the 6th, aiming for a two inning save. Despite a few baserunners, Hummel placed a zero on the scoreboard. After two insurance runs provided by freshman Gavin Turner gave the Pacers much needed breathing room, Hummel came back out and shut the door.
From tense moments, to loud roars, to the Pacers faithful dancing to YMCA just before the day-sweep was completed, March 8th was a beautiful day at the ballpark, oe that turned the tide of the season for the diamond Pacers.
