Starter Nathan McCurdy needed just 71 pitches to go the distance on Wednesday afternoon against Berean Christian, scattering five hits in a 4-0 win over the Eagles, while also helping his own cause at the plate.
After retiring six of the first seven batters he faced, McCurdy received immediate support from the Owls' lineup in the bottom of the second inning, as they scratched together a two-out rally. Gabe Diaz reached on a hard ground ball to short, and Athenian moved a pair of runners into scoring position when Tavi Greenfield doubled to left field. After Rushil Ray walked to load the bases, the Owls were the recipient of a balk issued to Berean Christian pitcher Cole Wilson, allowing Diaz to trot home from third for the 1-0 lead.
McCurdy allowed a pair of one-out singles in the top of the fifth, but used his own defensive skills to help get out of a small jam, picking a runner off second and then inducing a ground ball to end the inning. The Eagles also got a base runner in the top of the sixth on a one-out single, but that time a line drive double play ended any hopes for the visitors. McCurdy then immediately added to his own lead with a home run to left field to lead off the bottom of the sixth, a shot which sparked a late rally for the Athenian offense, as the Owls tacked on two more runs, capped by a sacrifice fly off the bat of Diaz.
In addition to his complete game outing on the mound, McCurdy had two hits offensively for Athenian, as did Mark Szczesny. Dom Dachauer had the lone multi-hit day for the Berean lineup. Wilson went four innings on the mound for the Eagles, allowing the one unearned run on four hits.
Athenian heads to Stuart Hall on Friday afternoon after improving to 3-0 with Wednesday's victory. Berean Christian, which fell to 2-1, will head to The Bay School on Saturday morning.
