Pitching Highlights Prides 2-1 Victory over Lake Norman Copperheads

Interview with Richard de la Cruz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaDdDjhNHhI

The Piedmont Pride got another quality start from RHP Will Lozinak and took down the Lake Norman Copperheads,2-1 on Monday night at York Comprehensive High School. The Pride move to 11-0 on the season now, still tied atop the SCBL with the Carolina Vipers. The Pride and Vipers will square off on Thursday, June 21^st at home for the Red and Blue.

Will Lozinak gave The Pride another stellar performance on the mound on Monday night. The righty threw for seven innings of work, allowing five hits, one earned run, and striking out eight batters. On the season for Lozinak through two starts: 14 IP, one earned run, 11 strikeouts, and only three base on balls.

Nolan Wilson came in to pitch in relief for the Red and Blue and is quickly picking up the nickname, “Mr. Strikeout”. Wilson on the season has thrown for 9.1 innings of work, striking out an astounding 20 batters. On Monday night Wilson threw for 1.2 innings, striking out three and picking up the win for The Pride.

The Pride took the lead in the bottom of the 3^rd after a Jaret Peterson walk and steal put a runner on second base. Richard de la Cruz would double down the left field line scoring Peterson and the Red and Blue would take a 1-0 lead.

The Copperheads would answer back in the top of the 4^th on one hit and a walk.

The rest of the game would prove to be a pitchers battle as The Pride wouldn’t strike for the game winning run until the bottom of the 8^th. Jaret Peterson would once again spark the rally for the good guys, and would be replaced with a pinch runner, Mark Engel, at first. Engel would move over to 2^nd the next batter and steal third the next pitch.

Richard de la Cruz would come in the clutch striking the ball just over the third baseman head and scoring Engel from third. De la Cruz’s 2^nd and 3^rd RBI’s of the season would prove to be the difference as The Pride took the game, 2-1.

The Pride will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, June 19^th as they take on the Lenoir Oilers in a double header makeup from May 31^st. First pitch is scheduled for 5 P.M and both games will be seven innings.