ISC Fastball fans will remember “The Catch” by Jeff Matacynski at the 2011 ISC World Tournament in Quad Cities.
Last night in the winner’s semi-final between the A1 Bombers and New York Gremlins, they were witness to “The Catch, 2015 Edition”, a game saving catch by the Bombers Derrick Kennedy. (Lance Winn with the call on the video)
Read the story as told by Bob Otto at Otto in Focus
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – A1 Bombers Devon McCullough was mowing down the New York Gremlins like Goliath swatting aside small villagers.
The 23 year old right-hander was spinning a no-hitter, had a 2-0 lead, and had the Gremlins down to their final out in the bottom of the seventh after striking out Rafael Flores and Bryan Abrey.
Then disaster almost struck.
Brennen Pokoyoway, who had struck out twice, broke up McCullough’s no-hit bid by lacing a double into left-centerfield. That brought Jovan Hanley to the plate. He took a called third strike and then swung from the heels at a McCullough rise ball above the letters – coming up empty.
Now ahead in the count, McCullough – who has the best change up in the world tournament – tried to fool the right-side hitting Hanley with the off-speed, but the pitch hung belt high, dead center over the plate. And Hanley jumped all over it. The ball took off like a rocket and looked like it was destined to land over the left-field fence. Click here to continue reading at Otto in Focus.
The A1 Bombers at their facebook page:
A-1 Bombers Softball Club win again and on a big stage with a 2-0 over the NY Gremlins. Never in the history of these updates has and update lead with anything other than the pitching performance. Also it’s not often a 1 hitter is not the major status of the game but tonight’s post belongs to Kristen N Derrick Kennedy. Derrick told me personally before the game he was going to be a beast tonight and that he was… If you didn’t watch the live feed you missed him not only go 2-3 at the plate but also make not 1 but 2 ridiculous catches… The first came in the 1st inning on the 1st pitch which would have surely been a triple.. That catch was nothing compared the second one.. Bombers were up 2-0 in the bottom of the 7th with 2 outs and a Gremlins player on second. On a 0-2 change up the ball was hit deep to left and was headed out of the ballpark until…well I’ll let the pictures below describe it… Bombers are now 1 of 2 undefeated teams left in the world.. Next up Hill United tomorrow night at 8.. This game will also be broadcast live for everyone to follow!
Not to be left out in the A-i Bombers Softball Club win tonight was Kristopher Walushka 2-3 performance with a crucial 1st inning run scored on a Marshall Kronk single. Gil Saenz provided the insurance run we needed with a triple to left that lead to a run scored on a throwing error… Way to step up big boys!
It’s the catch that will be remembered this morning, but the A1 Bombers wouldn’t be to this point without ace Devon McCullough. The team’s facebook page gave Devon some well deserved praise:
We just can’t let it go with talking about our horse Devon Mccullough… Devon went toe to toe with the #3 ranked team in the world and was already coming off last nights perfect game going 6 and 2/3rds innings before surrendering his 1st hit in 2 games to his good buddy Brennan Pokoyoway. Not much more can be said about what a leader this young 23 year old but we are sure happy he’s our teammate.
A one-hit shut on the winner’s semi-final after tossing a perfect game in the winner’s quarterfinal the night before. Hard to imagine a better pitching performance. Did I mention that he saved the gold medal game for Team Canada at the WBSC World Championship in Saskatoon last month ?
SATitans8 says
Catch courtesy of San Antonio, Texas.