Trending
Next stop
Tonight: Akron at Altoona, 6 p.m.
Pitchers: Curve RHP Luis Ortiz vs. Ducks RHP Thomas Ponticelli
Record: 27-25
By Cory Giger
sports@altoonamirror.com
There wasn't much to cheer during the game for Curve fans Thursday night, but there was plenty to cheer before the game at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
The Curve celebrated the Hollidaysburg team that recently competed in the Little League World Series, and a good time was had by all, including players on both the Curve and the Little League squad.
"Thank you for representing our community and Pennsylvania so well. It was our honor to host you all at the ballpark tonight," Curve general manager Nate Bowen posted on social media, while the Curve Twitter account posted a photo of all the Little Leaguers with their slogan "Bull Power."
Once the game started, there wasn't much positive going on for the home team, as Altoona fell to Akron, 4-0, before 4,117 fans.
Cool to see
It was obvious the Hollidaysburg kids were having a good time during the celebration, and the same could be said about the Curve players.
"It definitely was," pitcher Quinn Priester said. "It brings you back to your roots a little bit, and you're like, hey, man, it's just a game with these kids.
"So, just to see that give us a little bit of perspective is awesome."
The Curve and Little League players got to mingle a bit and have some fun prior to the game starting.
"It's always fun seeing kids passionate about the game, and it's always fun to look back on when we were that age." Priester said. "Those guys got a really cool opportunity with the Little League World Series, and you know, I hope coming out tonight and having that experience just fuels that passion even more."
SUBHD: Bats silent
The Curve offense had a good game in winning Tuesday's series opener, 7-5, but there wasn't much going on at the plate in game two.
Altoona was shut out on six hits and didn't have many scoring opportunities.
Akron starter Tanner Bibee (4-1) tossed six scoreless innings and gave up four hits with five strikeouts and one walk. He lowered his ERA to 1.29.
Two other relievers finished off the shutout for the RubberDucks, who are trying to stay alive in the Southwest Division playoff race as the season winds down. Akron is five games behind Bowie, while the Curve dropped to 7 ½ games back.
SUBHD: Stats and stuff
Curve starter Aaron Shortridge (1-4) allowed four runs — none earned — over five innings to take the loss. Altoona committed three errors that led to all of Akron's runs being unearned.
Liover Peguero went 2-for-4 for the Curve.
Henry Davis did not play Wednesday after playing Tuesday in his first game back with Altoona from injury.
Catcher Endy Rodriguez went 1-for-3 and is batting .348 since coming up from high-A Greensboro.
The Curve dropped to 8-12 against their longtime nemesis Akron, including just 2-6 at PNG Field.