History Made: Kowalski Pitches Ninth All Time No Hitter
The CCBC Catonsville Cardinals completed one of their most dominant performances of the season, as they won big against Orange County Community College. This was game two of a double header, which would result in back-to-back games ended early by mercy rule.
Coming off an 11-run victory in frigid game one temperatures, the Cardinals had looked to get ahold of a strong lead as early as they could. To no surprise, the first inning would end with a three up, three out sequence led by freshman pitcher Jayson Kowalski (Olympia). Kowalski would make CCBC Catonsville history, as he finished the afternoon as the ninth player ever to pitch a no hitter through a game. Kowalski, locked in and committed to win, did not realize he had a no-hitter on his hands until the fifth inning. When asked about this he said, "I got in a groove, stayed focused and got my job done".
The Cardinals stacked up five runs in the first inning. This all started with freshman outfielder Jalen Williams (Western Tech), who hit a double to the left field, allowing fellow sophomore outfielder Angelo Ramirez (North Atlanta) to walk in easily for the first score. Williams would be the second player to score shortly afterward. Freshman third baseman Alex Valdez (Blair) hit one of two home runs to send freshman first baseman Nick Stergiou (Broadneck) and sophomore designated hitter Pete Howell (Lake Howell) to home plate and up the lead to five.
The Cardinals didn't let up as the batters headed right back into the second inning to build their lead once again. Alex Valdez would make his presence felt once more, with two RBI's and a double that would send sophomore shortstop Moises Aristy Jr. (Arundel) and Stergiou home for the seventh run. Valdez and Howell would then find homebase off an error by Orange County and proceeded to change the score to nine to zero. At the bottom of the fourth inning, Valdez would put this game away hitting his second home run of the game, finishing the day with six RBI's, two homers and a double. "Today I came out early, came to the field early to get some work done… hard work pays off all the time and I'm glad it's starting to pay off now," Valdez said.
The Cardinals now find themselves on another well-fought winning streak, as they prepare to play a critical regional double header versus Hartford Community College. The team seems prepared to face the approaching challenge, according to Valdez. "We're focused," he said. "We're ready to play, come out with the same intensity we came out with today and looking forward to getting a dub!" Hartford is currently nine and eight, but have yet to win an away game. The Cardinals look to make sure this stays consistent this upcoming Tuesday.
