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Johnson and Bullpen Out-Duel Stingers to Complete Sweep
Web Posted June 12, 2010

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Spartanburg Blue Eagles (7-5) defeated the Carolina Stingers (4-8) 3-1 Saturday in Spartanburg South Carolina to win game 2 of a doubleheader that began earlier in the game.

The Blue Eagles were able to win game 1 as a result of their bats as they scored nine runs off of a season high 12 hits. Game two was a completely different story as the Blue Eagles rode the arms of right handed pitcher Taylor Johnson (USC-Lancaster) and a couple relievers that closed the game out.

In Johnson’s second start as a Blue Eagle he threw 4.2 innings of scoreless baseball. Johnson allowed three hits and struck out one, claiming he primarily used his fastball to keep Stinger hitters off balance.

“I threw a lot of fastball tonight and I’m usually a curveball guy,” said Johnson after the game. “Austen (Barber) called a great game behind the plate and I pretty much went with what he wanted to do. I didn’t shake him off once tonight.”

The game stood at a 0-0 tie until the bottom of the fourth inning when catcher Paul Nitto (Furman) doubled to right and later came around to score as a result of a throwing error by Stinger first baseman Stephen Mullis. (Brevard College) Nitto went two for three on the night and talked about gaining more confidence at the as the season progresses.

“I’m getting more relaxed every time I step into the plate to hit,” said Nitto after the game. “The key to hitting is being comfortable and I’m definitely becoming more comfortable with every at-bat I get.

The Blue Eagles added on two runs more in the fifth, which proved to be enough for the Blue Eagles bullpen.

Right handed pitcher George Schaefer (Charleston Southern) came on and pitched the end of the fifth inning, and started the sixth inning before running into some control problems. Schaefer loaded the bases and was taken out in the sixth after recording one out. However, Chris Knauff (USC-Upstate) was able to stabilize the Stinger lineup only allowing 1 hit when he appeared, holding the Stingers to one run, pitching out of the bases loaded jam. The run was attributed to Schaefer’s ERA.

Knauff stayed in the game to pitch the seventh inning and to record his third save of the year as the Stingers threatened with two base runners, but never crossed the plate.

The Blue Eagles move to 6-1 at home with tonight’s victory and assistant coach Anthony Dillenger spoke about the team’s ability to recover and win both games against the Stingers.

“I was glad were able to come back and use some hit and run to score some runs in game one, said Dillenger. “We had a good round of BP (batting practice) before the game and it translated for us in the game. I was glad we were able to come back and win, especially considering how poorly we played last night.”

The Blue Eagles host the Statesville Owls Monday night at 7pm at Russell C. King Field. It is Disability Awareness Night and half the proceeds will be given to the Carolina Miracle League.