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Knauff Gets Another Save, Blue Eagles Get Another Win
Web Posted June 6, 2010

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Spartanburg Blue Eagles defeated the Carolina Chaos 9-6 in game 1 of a doubleheader in Spartanburg South Carolina at Russell C. King Field.

Wofford Terrier Anthony Rowland was the winning pitcher for the Blue Eagles giving up 6 runs over 4 and a third innings. Rowland moved his overall record to 2-0 as he was also the pitcher of the decision last night when he appeared out of relief for an inning.

The story though was reliever Chris Knauff. Knauff, a relief pitcher for the USC Upstate Spartans, entered the game with runners on second and third in an 8-5 game in the top half of the fifth inning. Knauff proceeded to pitch out of trouble when he was able to get Chaos centerfielder Richie Palase to fly out to center and right fielder Justin Gullickson to pop out to first. Knuaff pitched the sixth and the seventh, holding the Chaos scoreless in each.

His effort earned him his second save in two days. Knauff attributed his success to being able to throw first pitch strikes.

“Getting strike one is big,” said Knauff. It enables me to get ahead of the hitter and use all my pitches to my advantage”.

Knauff has definitely been able to use all his pitches to his advantage up to this point in season as in two appearances he has pitched 3.2 innings without allowing any runs. Knauff also leads the Blue Eagles in saves with two.

Besides good pitching, the Blue Eagles bats generated a lot of action as they scored 9 runs by virtue of pounding out 9 hits.

The Blue Eagles were led by Paul Nitto. Nitto went 2 for 4 at the plate driving in two runs. The Furman Paladin catcher also scored two runs and caught a great game behind the plate.

Game two of the doubleheader will begin at approximately 7:30 with the Blue Eagles as the home team.