Knights' Will Nelson Throws 1 hitter in 6-0 shutout of North Forsyth Bandits

Will Neslson threw a complete game 1 hit shutout.

The Marietta Knights got a nearly perfect performance on the mound from Will Nelson and their defense finally showed their true potential in a brilliant 6-0 victory over the North Forsyth Bandits at Bennett Park in Cumming, Georgia on Saturday. Will threw a full 6 inning complete game shut out in just 51 pitches. This was especially remarkable considering the umpire committed to a dinner plate sized strike zone and that Will took a cleat to the face in the first half of the double header. The Bandits managed just three baserunners in the contest on their 1 hit, 1 walk and the Knights committed just one error.

Marietta's offense came up big as well as they put up 5 runs in the 2nd. Fresh off the disabled list, Austin "Hook" Hansell came up with a huge 2 run single down the right field line to get the Knights rolling. After Jack Rinehimer drew a bases loaded walk, JD Rinehimer followed up with another 2 run single and the Knights were in business. Mason Doyle was 3 for 3 with 3 stolen bases and he scored a run on Will's 5th inning single.

It's impossible to pick out one play so the Defensive Effort of the Game goes to the team. The Knights successfully executed another run down in the 2nd when Will caught a Bandits' runner off of 2B, threw to Garrett Wells at 3B, who threw to Cal Hughes at 2B who threw back to Mason who applied the tag at 3rd. Garrett then stole a double in the 3rd on a running catch of a fly ball to left field. Hunter Williamson caught back to back flyballs at 2B in the 4th. The Knights never let up and delivered an exciting double play in the 6th. Will fielded a come backer at the mound, looked the runner back at second and threw to George Krivsky for the out at 1B. The runner broke for 3rd and George took a step and made a perfect throw to Hunter who applied the tag to the sliding runner. Gil Hastings closed out the victory 2 pitches later with a beautiful sliding catch on a flare down the right field line.



The Knights enjoy a game of Pepper between games.

It was another great team victory for the Knights. The only downsides for Coach Rob were that he had already used up all of his Willie Nelson references after Will had a game winning hit a few weeks ago and that he had to endure a celebration concert by George, Gil and Hunter on the long ride back to Marietta. Although a storm moved in just after the game ended, Coach Rob is fighting off a Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain reference because the Bandits are a great group of kids and they win so many games that they handled the loss just fine.

The Bandits took game 1 of the double header 11-7. Garrett Wells threw 2 shutout innings with 3 strikeouts. The Defensive Play of the Game was another run down between JD, playing Catcher for the first time this season because of injuries, and Hunter at 3B. JD threw to Hunter who gave chase and returned the throw. Hunter realized no one had fallen in behind him at 3rd so he backed back into place and took one more throw from JD and tagged the runner out. The offensive highlight of the game was a bases loaded, bases clearing double by Hammer Hastings. Gil is consistently hitting the ball very hard. Hunter added a 2 run single and Will and George had an RBI each. Mason Doyle was 4 for 4 on the day with 7 stolen bases.

The Loveliest Fan Club in the NABL somehow managed to get covered in even more red clay than their big brothers.