Sports Archives — The Altamont Enterprise, April 14, 2011
BKW baseball team gets important win over Duanesburg
By Jordan J. Michael
BERNE –– A win is nice. A win over a cross-town rival is better.
The Bulldogs got three hits apiece from Ben Geist and Alon Willing at home on Tuesday to beat neighboring Duanesburg, 7 to 3. Willing caught Geist, who stretched two hits over six-and-one-third innings pitched.
Willing called the pitches, Geist threw strikes, and both teammates drove runs in with their bats. It was a simple formula that created a victory.
“I kept changing speeds,” Geist said of his pitching.
“He threw strikes,” said Willing of Geist. “He just kept throwing strikes.”
Geist, who struck out three batters, retired the side in both the fourth and sixth innings. He forced the Eagles into numerous pop flies and ground balls.
Berne-Knox-Westerlo Head Coach Jeff Teats commented on Geist’s solid day on the mound, saying, “He threw strikes.”
Everyone seemed to agree on what happened. It was simple.
“Ben threw well,” added Willing. “He threw strikes.”
The Bulldogs trailed, 1 to 0, until Willing crushed a pitch to center field to lead off the third inning with a double. Willing stole third base and Geist eventually drove him in with a single to center field.
With one out in the fifth inning, Willing loaded the bases with an infield hit. Next up was Brett Flansburg. He knifed a grounder by a diving Eric McGuire at shortstop, scoring two runs. Geist drove Willing in again with another single to center field.
BKW led, 5 to 1, after Ben Brand walked in a run. It was like watching a finely-tuned machine.
“It was a team effort,” said Geist. “Everyone contributed. The defense was great.”
Teats told The Enterprise that games against Duanesburg are always competitive and close, so he got a little nervous when BKW gained a sizable lead. The Eagles were out- pitched and out-hit on Tuesday.
“Now, after beating Duanesburg, we’ll always have a chance,” Teats said. “Winning breeds confidence.”