Shenendehowa Vs. Troy: Game Recap

May 9, 2015

Dan Cevette
Director, New York

Bobby Krogh
Capital District Scout

Shenendehowa 6 - Troy 1

Last night at Joe Bruno Stadium, you couldn't get a better setting for a Friday Night Baseball game. On the stage for the Coaches VS. Cancer match-up, was the visitor and state ranked Shenendehowa, against the home town team Troy High School. The starting pitchers in the night cap, junior Ben Anderson for Shen, and Freshman David Judge for Troy.

In the 1st inning, both teams went down in order, but in the top of the 2nd, Shen would look to take the lead. After a 1 out single to center by catcher Brad Pearson, Judge got Nik Malachowski to ground into a fielders choice, bringing up 1st baseman Joe Fraser. Fraser hit a chopper through the right side for a single, making it 1st and 2nd, 2 outs. Junior Frankie Pizzo stepped to the plate, and on a 2-1 count, ripped a fastball into left. Malachowski trying to score on the play, was gunned down at the plate by left fielder Conor McGrath for the 3rd out.

In the bottom half, Troy Pitcher David Judge started off the the inning with a line drive double off the left field wall. Yet what looked like an inning that could put Troy ahead, was just the opposite. Pitcher Ben Anderson kicked it up a notch, recording two strikeouts and a fly-out on just 9 pitches.

Moving to the 3rd, Shen would put up 4 runs sending 12 players to the plate. Pedone - Hayner - Douglas - and Malachowski all contributed with singles.

The Plainsmen would add 2 more in the top of the fifth on a pair of singles and 3 Troy errors.

PBR's take
Connor Douglas, Brad Pearson, Nik Malachowski, Frankie Pizzo, and Joe Fraser all had big days at the plate, but the story here was the two starting pitchers on the night. Both of which went the distance. RHP Ben Anderson was tough. It seemed as if the junior got stronger as the game moved on. Sitting 80-81 topping 82 in the first 4 innings, He came out on the 5th and sat 82-84, topping 85, keeping fastballs at the knees, and painting them on the corners. He threw his curve ball for strikes (often under the right handed hitters hands) and at 2 different speeds. He gave up only 4 hits on the night, striking out 6. His counterpart Freshman RHP David Judge did his best to keep the Shen hitters off balance with a mix of cut fastballs, curve balls, and change-ups, but Troy's 6 errors in the contest probably led him to throw an additional 30 pitches on the night. In the first 3 innings, Judge sat 81-82 topping 84. In the later innings he was 78-80. In the 110 pitch effort he didn't give in, showing why many colleges right now think very highly of this 14 year old.

Bottom line: Shen is tough. They hardly make mistakes in the field. They are extremely well coached, they hustle, and play the game the right way. You make an error and they will capitalize on it.