Snow Shuts The Door In South Legion Game One Win
July 15th, 2007 Posted in American Legion baseball
Photo: Rudy Brown against Concord
South Rowan Legion (photos, videos, StarCards) defeated Concord Legion (playoff photos) 3 - 2 in game one of the second round of the Area III playoffs. Walker Snow (StarCard) was tremendous in relief, striking out two in the top of the eighth after entering with the bases loaded, and then calmly working around a solo home run in the top of the ninth to preserve the victory. Earlier in the game, Snow hit a two run home run.
The game featured a match-up of southpaw aces Rudy Brown (StarCard) and Keith Carrigan, both Area III all-star pitchers. South got to Carrigan for three early runs in the first two innings, keyed by the Snow homer. From there, Carrigan buckled down and started getting ahead in the count with early sliders and fastballs, and pitching downhill from there, to go the distance without allowing another run.
However, Brown, Cameron Park (StarCard), and Snow combined to make the three runs stand up for a South Rowan victory. Brown was locating his fastball and nasty curve well, allowed only one run through six innings, striking out 11, before departing for Park in the seventh after allowing two base runners to reach with one out. Park walked his hitter to load the bases. South Rowan Manager David Wright then made a critical decision, electing to bring in Snow with the bases loaded and one down.
Snow was up for the task, getting two huge outs to strand all three Concord runners, and then pitching around a ninth inning solo homer to win the game. After the game, Snow showed his pitching maturity, saying he treated the ninth inning home run like any run, and just focused on the next hitter. Coach Brian Goodnight also emphasized that Snow went right after the hitters, continuing to make his pitches, and pound the strike zone.
Video clip of Snow’s final strikeout, finishing off the South Rowan Legion game one victory.
More video clips for South and Concord to be added Monday.
