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.

You Know Who Is Awesome? The SC Knights

Ridin the storm out, waitin for the thaw out

On a full moon night in the rocky mountain winter.
My wine bottles low, watching for the snow
Ive been thinking lately of what Im missing in the city.

And Im not missing a thing
Watchin the full moon crossing the range
Ridin the storm out
Ridin the storm out. - R.E.O. Speedwagon

The Knights went into Sunday's game with an opportunity to do what no Knights team had done before. Start the season 3-0.

Starting off hot, the Knights wanted to jump right on the Storm, but the best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men, Gang aft a-gley. So instead they went up 4-0 in the first inning and were cruisin' along behind the strength of The Cuban Bull and hot hitting Ryan Brooks (3-4, 3 RBI).

Tony Sulser (1-0) was lifted in the 5th inning for Jonathan "Aqua Man" Williams. While Sulser who makes a living out of ground balls was let down by his shortstop Pete Halvorsen after getting what should have been an inning ending ground ball, Halvorsen promptly threw the ball away allowing 3 unearned runs that inning and giving the Knights a 9-4 deficit. The ball wasn't the only thing "thrown out" that inning. Coach Ryan Saul who had been upset at the balls/strikes being called during the first 4 innings had a conversation with the home plate umpire during the pitching change and must have said something, because he was quickly tossed.

VIDEO FLASHBACK: 2004 Mt. Saul Blows Up At Bad Call

So the Knights had to regroup, down 5 runs with their fearless leader sent to the showers. Mike Vogel lead off the bottom of the fifth inning with a double down the left field line. The rally was kept alive when with 1 out and runners at first and third, Josh Steiner hit into what looked to be an inning ending double play, but Pete Halvorsen slid in hard to second base flipping middle infielder Kirk Mayer who threw the ball away.


Jonathan Williams kept the Knights in contention throwing one inning allowing 1 run, but keeping the Knights . The Knights then turned to their 1-2 bullpen combo, Murkey entered allowing 0 hits over the next inning and a third.

With the game tied the Knights went back to their trump card, Rod Boaz who delivered a 2 run double off the wall in left field and gave the Knights the lead. Murkey then scored Boaz on a single giving closer Steve Fike a three run cushion.

In the ninth inning the Knights outfield showed their centerfielder turned closer Fike that they have his back making two great catches robbing Storm players of sure hits. With Runners on 1st and 3rd leftfielder Erik Barber ranged far to his left before catching the sinking line drive at his shoe tops. The best was saved for last, rightfielder Austin Hurwitz who if you remember had season ending surgery 4 years ago after tearing his labrum diving for a ball. Hero Hurwitz blocked this out and had one thing on his mind, "Catch The Ball, Save The World". The flare looked like a sure hit and had the Storm players out of the dugout thinking they had their comeback sealed. But Hurwitz had different ideas, doing a superman leap and catching the ball inches before it would have fell in. Knights fans went wild. Giving the Knights their 3rd win of the season.

Winning Pitcher: Kevin Murkey (1-0)
Save: Steve Fike (2)

Next week the battle of the 3-0's "Yankees v. Knights" the battle that started in New York over 80 years ago, now finds itself on the West Coast.

Fittingly this game will take place at Stengel Field, 2 PM Sunday 4/22/07.

Photo Courtesy Of http://www.caseystengel.com/

Knights Roll To 2-0

GLENDALE, CA - The Knights knew they had to bring their A Game versus a very talented Westside Brewers baseball team. The Brew Crew was well known for it's high powered offense and putting teams away with the long ball. The Cuban Bull was ready to deal with both. And deal he did. Sulser struck out 6 Brewers and allowed 1 earned run while only walking 1 hitter in his 5 innings of work. He looked like the 'El Toro' of old, the spurred on "Sulsermania" that stole the Cuban-American communities hearts back in 2004.




But as the old saying goes a pitcher is only as good as his defense. On this day the Knights defense was solid as oak. This as always keeps El Toro happy which produces good results for the Knights Organization. Knowing that the defense/pitching was taken care of Coach Ryan Saul had to get the Knights offensive juggernaut working. Kevin Murkey fresh off a 0-3 day was 'chompin' at the bit' to prove himself as an anchor in the middle of the lineup. The self-proclaimed 'Irish God' MURKULES struck the baseball with all the might and power of a deity (small d for all you theologians). Murkey was 3-3 on the day and was pitched around his last at-bat. Also getting into the act was the 'FNG' Erik Barber who picked up his first hit and RBI as a Knight spurring on the rally in the 3rd inning that put the Knights 5 runs up and out of reach.
Knights fans who have been following the rise to fame of Rod Boaz know the hardships he's endured to get to where he is. Boaz is enjoying every moment of his new found stardom, while continuing to produce. Boaz hit a 2 run homer and a 2 run triple going 3-4, with 4 RBI's on the day. Boaz the multifaceted player also tossed 2 strong innings for the Knights, allowing 0 earned runs and striking out 2.

Coach Saul turned to lefty Steve Fike to close the game out. Fike who only had one inning pitched last season, doubled that in this outing. Fike went 2 innings allowing 0 runs and striking out two. Game Over'kules was in the bullpen warming up just in case, but this save went to Fike.

Knights K-Notes and K-Quotes
Pete Halvorsen was hit by a pitch twice bringing his season total to 3 in 2 games. At this pace Halvorsen will be hit 30 times and beat Greg Williams record of 16 in a season. Halvorsen who boasts an amazing .714 OBP through the first 2 games has also scored 4 runs, but at a price...a black/blue price. (Photo from Earlier Season)

The Knights pitching staff boasts a 1.69 ERA tops in the league. At 2-0 the Knights are Tied with the LA Yankees at the top of the National Division.

Coach Ryan Saul "It was just great to get back out there, and watch some gold old fashioned Knights baseball. I haven't seen a Knights squad this strong since Hobbs cost us about 10 million to replace all the light standards at the old stadium."

The Knights will have the next week off for Easter Break, but will be back on the field 4/15 versus the South Bay Storm.

In the meantime if you ever wondered how Roy Hobbs would have fared in today's game. check out Roy Hobbs Scouting Report.

Thanks for reading this has been another great Max Mercy Masterpiece, Have a Great Easter.