After his imposing performance against Snohomish Kyle Ayers seemed none too impressed with himself. Ayers, who struck out 10 batters in a complete game shutout, lacked for words to describe the performance.
You know, it was hot out here today, so my arm felt good and warm. I had the fastball and the curve. I just threw the curve randomly, Ayers said.
If only baseball were always so simple.
Ayers managed to make a mockery of the Snohomish lineup, twice striking out the side in helping lead the Stilly Rapids AA Legion team to a much needed victory 2-0.
The July 7 pitchers duel saw few offensive highlights, but Stilly did enough to eke out a victory.
The two teams battled to a stalemate for four and a half innings. Then Jeff Huge got Stilly going with a one out walk in the bottom half of the fifth. Jesse Etchey singled him over to third base, then Etchey stole second to put runners on second and third. Tony Geist, with his hair looking more like the fifth member of The Beatles than a baseball player, delivered the crucial single to score both Huge and Etchey and give Stilly a 2-0 advantage.
That would be all the run support Ayers needed as he mowed through the Snohomish lineup. When Ayers wasnt striking guys out he was picking them off base. Twice in the game Ayers caught a runner leaning off first base with a quick pick off move. Considering Snohomish managed only four hits and five baserunners total, the pickoffs were utterly demoralizing to their chances. Ayers only permitted five balls to even leave the infield, making for a boring game for the Stilly outfielders.
Only one critical catch from right fielder Jon Brown gave the Stilly outfield anything to talk about. With two men on and two outs in the seventh inning, Snohomishs cleanup hitter laced a low liner into shallow right field. Without hesitating, Brown sped in and slid feet first into a perfect catch. Had Brown missed the ball, the hit might have scored both runs and tied the game but Brown felt sure of himself.
I tracked it fine, said Jon Brown after the game. I had no nerves or anything. I concentrated on the ball. I wanted to get Ayers out of that jam, hed pitched a great game.
Browns bravado worked and the catch ended the game giving Stilly the 2-0 victory in the first game of their doubleheader.

At Arlington:

Stilly Rapids 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
Snohomish 0 0 0 0 0 0 0