Nelson pitches Hounds past Blue Sox in section opener
Published 8:52 pm Friday, August 9, 2013
The Greyhounds second baseman Joe Kroc throws across his body on the run to first during the third inning Friday night against the Austin Blue Sox. — Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Greyhounds’ pitcher Nels Nelson was dominant as the Hounds rolled past the Austin Blue Sox 6-1 in the opening round of the Section tournament in Marcusen Park Friday.
Nelson struck out eight and allowed just one hit and that was a bloop single by DJ Taylor with one out in the seventh inning with the Hounds leading 5-0.
“No one said anything, but I knew they didn’t have any (hits),” Nelson said. “That’s not the first thing in my mind. I just wanted to stay out of the big inning and keep throwing strikes.”
Austin Blue Sox starting pitcher Jon Kirby delivers in the first inning against the Greyhounds Friday night at Marcusen Park.
The Hounds (18-11 overall) got a lift from Joe Kroc on offense and defense he went 2-for-4 and knocked in two runs and he also helped turn three double plays.
“Any time you have a pitcher that’s in the zone, you’re going to be in the game,” Kroc said. “We had some opportunities to turn some double plays and it was fun.”
The Hounds got on the board when Tyler Leopold hit a sacrifice fly in the second and Dave Adams launched a solo homer to make it 3-0 in the fourth.
“We always get pumped up for the playoffs,” Nelson said. “It’s a different season and a different feel. Everybody came to play today.”
The Hounds will play a Supersection qualifier Saturday at 2:45 p.m. against the Mankato Mets or Rochester Royals and the Blue Sox will play an elimination game at noon. Both games will be in Marcusen Park.
Blue Sox 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 – 1 1 1
Hounds 0 2 0 3 0 1 0 0 X – 6 9 3
Hounds pitching: Nels Nelson (W), 9 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 1 ER, 8 K
Hounds hitting: Nate Johnson, 1-for-4, double; Andy Swank, 0-for-4; Dave Adams, 1-for-4, HR, RBI, R; Craig Braaten, 1-for-3, R, BB; Matt Cano, 1-for-2, R, BB; Matt Raso, 2-for-4, double, R; Tyler Leopold, 1-for-3, double, 2 RBIs, R; Joe Kroc, 2-for-3, 2 RBIs; John Frein, 0-for-3; Jordan Hart, 0-for-1, R
Blue Sox pitching: John Kirby (L) 8 IP, 9 H, 2 BB, 6 R, 5 ER, 5 K
Blue Sox hitting: Brandon Rector, 0-for-4; Jamie Adams, 0-for-3, SB, BB; Kirby, 0-for-3, BB; Mark Harber, 0-for-4; Josh Kunze, 0-for-3; DJ Taylor, 1-for-3; Lukas Anderson, 0-for-3; Cody Meyer, 0-for-3; Chris May, R, 2 BBs, HBP
