Professor Sulser Teaches Pitching 101

GLENDALE, CA - At the beginning of the game the Knights shared first place with the LA Yankees. When this day was done, the Knights would stand alone atop the National League. They did it with pitching and defense, holding the Bronx Bombers to an amazing 4 hits over 9 innings. The Yankees were averaging 18 hits and 15 runs over their first 3 games were caught of guard by El Toro's "Bola Caliente Estupenda". Sulser who's become more of a pitcher than just a hard thrower in his 2 years with the Knights was on his game this Sunday afternoon.

Sulser tossed 5 Innings of 1 hit baseball only allowing 1 run and striking out 6. But El Toro also had a little help from his friends. In the 3rd inning the Yankees threatened to rally with a runner on 3rd and no one out. Sulser then relied on his gold glove shortstop Pete Halvorsen who dove to snag a flare into short leftfield keeping the runner at third, of course it was Halvorsen's fault the runner was on third after reaching on an errant throw. The next Yankee struck a ball deep into right field, but found the strongest arm in the league, Murkules. Murks reputation preceded this play because the Yankees
decided to not test the big guy and this was a good thing for them, as Murkey threw a 300 foot fastball, which ended up being a perfect strike. Sulser then took care of the last threat on his own with a nasty slider.

I know, you're thinking...that's great, pitching, defense...but what about the Knights Bats. Well, it's funny you'd bring that up, it just so happens the Knights offense showed up early and often. After Halvorsen started off the game with a single to right field, he was sacrificed to second by Steiner...moved to third by Brooks fly ball to right and knocked in by Boaz (the first of four hits on the day for the leagues leading hitter). From there the Knights kept the pressure on starter Scott Singleton, putting up 3 more runs with 2 outs, 2 of those coming on an Erik Barber 2 strike single to right. Barber who's fan club was easy to find even in the packed 1800 person stadium. Brendan McDonald continued his hot hitting going 2-3 on the day and scorching a double off the wall in left-center.

But the name of the game was the Knights pitching and defense. The Knights took a 6-3 lead into the 9th inning for Kevin "Game Over" Murkules who hadn't had a chance to close a game this season. Murkey was in hot water in his second inning of the 2 inning save opportunity. After a few close calls not going the Knights way, the Yankees offense had woken up, but so had the Giant known as Murkules.


With the tying run at 2nd base Kevin Murkey reared back and battled a 10 pitch at bat, digging down just deep enough to throw one last pitch past a Yankee hitter ending the game Murkey style on a swing through strikeout.

Knights won their 4th straight game this season and continue their season next Sunday versus the Culver City Cubs at Culver City High School. 10 am First pitch.