DENVER — The ability to modify is what separates an upper-tier pitcher from one of the run-of-the-mill variety.
So when left-hander Gus Lang had trouble locating his fastball, the senior had no problem pitching backwards, primarily using his off-speed repertoire against while employing the fastball only as a show-me pitch.
The result was 12 strikeouts in six innings, as well as a for the No. 4 Sun Devils against the No. 10 Buffaloes in a Class 3A Metro League game.
“I had to throw my curve a little bit more, but that’s definitely a good pitch to throw early in the count if you have some confidence in it,” said Lang, who yielded only three hits.
“He always throws his curveball for a strike, and it’s one of his strongest pitches,” added catcher Paul Donahue. “It breaks late, and the hitters can’t really seem to hit it.”
The Sun Devils (7-1, 3-0), conversely, had no problems hitting, although this one was close until the top of the seventh. Kent Denver led 1-0 through five innings, then pushed the lead to 3-0 in the sixth on the strength of a solo home run by Donahue and an RBI single by John Morris.
Machebeuf (7-1, 3-1) whittled the deficit to 3-2 in the sixth on an RBI fielder’s choice by Nick Owen followed by a wild throw, but Kent Denver responded with four singles and four runs in the seventh to seal the deal.
“I think we stack up,” Machebeuf coach John Gechter said. “It’s just, coming off of Holy Week, you don’t get to practice for four days and it makes it a little tough coming back.”
Kent Denver 010 002 4 — 7 13 1
Bishop Machebeuf 000 002 0 — 2 3 0
Kent Denver (ab-r-h-rbi) — Matusoff cf-p 2-1-2-0, Lehigh 2b 4-1-1-0, Donahue c 4-1-3-2, Sadwith cr 0-1-0-0, Lang p-1b 4-2-2-0, Desjardin 3b 4-1-2-1, Morris lf 3-0-1-2, Allen ss 4-0-1-1, Finer 1b-cf 3-0-1-1, Yates rf 3-0-0-0, Monson ph 1-0-0-0. Totals 32-7-13-7.
Bishop Machebeuf — McDermott rf 3-0-0-0, Gates 1b 2-1-0-0, George 3b-p 3-1-1-0, Riley c 2-0-0-0, Owen ss 3-0-2-1, Lemming dh 2-0-0-0, Splane 2b 1-0-0-0, Xavier lf-3b 2-0-0-0, Meier p 3-0-0-0, Foster lf 0-0-0-0, Robnett cf 2-0-0-0. Totals 23-2-3-1.
E — Allen. 2B — Finer. HR — Donahue (solo in sixth). SB — Gates, George, Owen. CS — Matusoff, Owen. Batteries — Lang, Matusoff (7) and Donahue; Meier, George (7) and Riley; W — Lang (3-1). L — Meier (2-1). T — 2:21.
