It wasn't the performance Pitman's Bradley Enos wanted but the junior still managed to toss a complete game shutout on Thursday after the Pride hosted Atwater in the second meeting of the series.
The right-hander Enos allowed just a pair of hits over seven innings and hit two batters. He struck out three and finished with 81 pitches as he picked up his fourth win of the year.
Matt Carrigg's RBI fielder's choice provided enough offense for Pitman.
The Pride won 1-0 on a windy afternoon to clinch their third league win of the year and third straight victory.
“I just wanted to come out here and know that I had the team’s support behind me and I tried to do the best I could even though I didn't have my best stuff,” said Enos. “My teammates had my back.”
No errors were committed by Pitman, who had seen a few games slip away by way of mistakes. That wasn't the case today. Everything flowed well for the Pride, except their bats.
The Pride only had six hits combined for the game backed by Brett Hagens 2 for 2 effort.
The sophomore Hagens also finished with two walks and a pair of stolen bases.
“I told the team that when one thing isn't really working, then somebody needs to pick us up and today it was Bradley who helped pick us up,” said Pitman head coach John Acha. “We were fortunate that pitching and defense can win you ball games and we were fortunate to have that happen today.”
Atwater only tallied two hits and reached base after getting two hit-by-pitches.
Enos, who wasn't as accurate with his fastball as he has been in the past, was relying heavily on his breaking ball to get out of jams.
“My off speed was good today since I really didn't have my fastball there today. So I had to rely on that pitch more and just work to keep them off balance and throw it as hard as I can.”
Twice, Enos was situated with a runner in scoring position at second and just one out, but he kept his composure and worked the hitters into long at-bats.
Enos went on to retire 10 of the final 12 batters faced and ended the seventh with a 1, 2 and 3 inning, ending the game in just over 105 minutes of action.
“He didn't have his best stuff today but he is such a competitor and knew if one pitch wasn't working he was going to go to another pitch and that is the kind of guy he is,” Acha said of Enos.
Pitman's Colton Evans was 1 for 2 with two stolen bases. Carrigg was 0 for 1 with two walks and an RBI fielder’s choice in the first inning that drove in Evans for the game sealer.
Pitman goes to 3-2 in the CCC and 11-6 overall.
Pitman's next game will take on Atwater on the road for their series finale at 4 p.m. Friday.
