Staff Report
Brian Pullyblank of the Webster Yankees wasn’t perfect in a 1-0 win over the visiting Niagara Power in New York Collegiate Baseball League action Friday, but he sure was unhittable.
Pullyblank struck out nine Power batters in a no-hitter that needed only 1 hour, 37 minutes to become official. Only two Power batters eached base in the game — Mark Donahue was safe on an error in the third and Travis Latz was hit by a pitch in the seventh.
“My slider was really working,” Pullyblank said after his 103-pitch gem. “I can’t say much. I just went out there and pitched.”
Pullyblank is no stranger to hitless ball. He threw a perfect game and a no-hitter in his senior year at Caledonia-Mumford High School in Caledonia.
The game’s lone run wasn’t registered until the bottom of the ninth when Nate Koontz of the first-place Yanks (7-3) stroked a two-out triple to right field to plate Jeff Dornes as the winning run off Shelby Robertson, who had a four-hit shutout headed into the final inning.
“Shelby pitched his heart out,” Niagara coach Sam Kirby said following the team’s third shutout loss of the season.
“He pitches so well because of the work he puts in between starts. It’s a shame that our hitters were unable to make the adjustments to get him the run support he deserved.”
The Power recorded its eighth double play in its last five game in the loss, and shortstop Brian Goodwin made a great leaping catch to snag a line drive in the third inning and keep the Power in the game at that point.
Niagara (5-4) begins a doubleheader at Alfred at 1 p.m. today.
