Osteen shuts door on A’s with 2 hitter

Mooresville, NC July 28, 2022

The Mooresville spinners started the tournament with an excellent performance from Luke Osteen. Osteen gave up only two hits and completed seven full innings in a 5 to 0 win. He commanded the zone all night and was nearly perfect. In the third inning a runner reached second for the A’s on a sacrifice, but Osteen struck out the next batter to end the inning. What little “threat” there was, quickly became squashed.

In the top of the fourth inning the A’s managed to get their first hit, followed up with a sacrifice. The next batter hit a ball in a tough location just over the first baseman’s head that was caught remarkably by Blake Jackson a sliding catch. We had a chance to talk to pitcher Luke Osteen and you can listen to his post-game interview below.

It was a good battle early in the game with the first three innings being a pitchers duel. Both looked to be dominant at their perspective tasks and ready for the long-haul. Everything changed in the bottom of the fourth inning however when things began to go the Spinners way.

Brandon Butterworth got the fourth inning started with a solid base hit and you could feel the momentum beginning Immediately. The Spinners were in the heart of the order at this point and now was the time to score.

In a great at bat, Tyler McPeak walked, bringing up Davis Turner who’s leading the spinners in batting. Turner immediately saw a pitch he could hit, and ripped it into the outfield scoring Butterworth easily and giving the Spinners a 1-0 lead.

With McPeak on third due to the throw on the previous play, Jermie Greene stepped up to the plate. On the first pitch Greene hit a shot down the line that was immediately gloved by the third baseman, but the ball flew straight up in the air about 10 feet and landed in foul territory. The third baseman had no play scoring McPeak, and Greene ended up at first base with Turner at second. The next play turned out to be a strange one on a deep fly ball at the track in center, which allowed Turner to tag up. At second base for whatever reason, the umpire felt Davis left early upon appeal by the A’s, and Davis was called out ending the Inning.

Mason Lyda came up in the fifth inning and immediately hit a great ball into right center dropping for a hit. Stephen Smith then sacrifices him over to second base bringing up Blake Jackson. Jackson crushes a fastball into the gap scoring Lyda on a double and giving the spinners a 3-0 lead.

Shortly after, Jackson end up on third due to a passed ball, setting up one of the most exciting plays of the night. Brandon Butterworth is at bat and Jackson steals home on the live pitch. You see Butterworth move out of the way at the last moment and in a close play Jackson slides in safe. (photo on right) The Spinners are now up with a secure 4-0 lead.

As if he hasn’t done enough damage already, Mason Lyda finds himself back up to bat in the sixth inning. He gets a fastball down the middle, and according to him it was one of “the longest balls he has ever hit.” It was off the top of the scoreboard at Moor Park and everyone knows this is a big time hit. You could hear it hit the scoreboard with authority and echo through the Mooresville downtown.

With a 5-0 lead, Luke Osteen was able to cruise another full inning leaving it up to Graham Brown who closed out the game securing the shutout and Spinner victory. Coach Leon Davidson summed it up fast stating, “ These guys come to play every night no matter what.” Listen to Coach Davidson‘s comments below to hear more.

It was a strong first game of the tournament for the spinners who are back in action tomorrow night at 7 o’clock at Moor Park for the second game of the 2022 playoffs. Tickets may be purchased at the gate and expect another good crowd on hand.