The Humminbirds made the trip north to Bethlehem last night with serious thunderstorms threatening. Fortunately the rain didn't arrive until a 7 inning game was completed. A definite pitcher's duel ensued between the Pirates Mike Kane and Humminbird's Earl Mitchell. Both pitchers held the opposition scoreless through 5 complete innings when in the bottom of the 6th the Pirates scored 3 on a little of everything, including a leadoff walk and stolen base by Yakatan, a subsequent unsuccessful fielder's choice leaving Yakatan on 3rd and Kane on 1st. Next a high hopper off the plate to the pitcher froze the runner at 3rd while the batter was thrown out. Kane was running on the pitch and when he turned to look he thought the ball had been caught by the pitcher in the air and headed back to first and a rundown began. Yakatan threatened to score and Kane was safe at 2nd with no run scoring. An error by the 2nd baseman allowed the first run to score and a subsequent single by Jim McQuade after a stolen base by Agneta brought in 2 runs. Mitchell shut down the scoring by retiring the final 2 Pirates. The Humminbirds scored 1 in the top of the 7th but Kane prevailed for a complete game. Of special note was a great diving catch by Josfski in left for the Birds to shut down a possible rally and great hitting by Mitchell who had 2 hits and a wicked line drive that Mike "Quick Reaction" Kane snagged. Finally, the rookie Jim Quinn for the Pirates covered a lot of ground making a very difficult play on a foul ball looper up the 1st base line and added a double on a liner in the gap. All in all a very well pitched and played game by both teams.
