Mike O'Neal

Dating back to February 12th in the second game of a double header versus ABAC, Pirate pitchers have given up exactly TWO earned runs.  That covers a span of seven games and 53 innings.  Furthermore, they have tossed 34 consecutive innings without allowing a single earned run, dating back to the final inning 1-0 loss to Chipola College.  And finally, they are in the midst of 18 consecutive scoreless innings after posting back to back shutouts versus LaGrange College and yesterday’s 3-0 win versus Andrew College.

Nick Jones

In yet another battle with a top tier starter, Pirate ace, Mike O’Neal, matched up with Andrew College’s freshman sensation, Phillip Anderson.  The game was another classic pitching duel, as both pitchers posted zeros through 5 1/2 innings.  CVCC finally broke through in their half of the 6th.  After Martin Castro reached on a 1 out error, Nick Jones came up with, once again, another big hit to push Castro to third base.  Josh Sanders put the Pirates on the board with a single to plate Castro for a 1-0 lead.  After a double steal on a dirt ball read, Pat Olvaney came up with runners at 2nd and 3rd, and delivered a huge RBI ground out to give O’Neal all the run support he would need.

Josh Sanders

O’Neal looked the 2011 version of himself, as he threw 7 strong innings of 6 hit baseball, in which he struck out 3, walked one, and induced a ton of ground ball outs.  Catcher Cody Walker continued his defensive prowess behind the dish, as he picked off another opposing baserunner, as well as cementing a brick wall behind the plate to lead the defensive efforts.  Big Ben Taylor took over in the eighth inning after O’Neal walked the leadoff batter.  Taylor promptly quieted any Tiger threats by blowing 92 mph fastballs by the Andrew hitters, as he retired AC in 1-2-3 fashion.

Ben Taylor

CVCC scratched for another run in the eighth to give them a 3-0 cushion for Trace McDaniel in Andrew half of the 9th.  After back to back singles on consecutive pitches, McDaniel went to work and struck out the side to notch his second save in three games.

Trace McDaniel

The Pirates, winners of 4 straight and 7 of their last 9, improve to 11-8 on the season.  CVCC will play host to Georgia Perimeter College on Saturday, February 25th, at 2:00 pm eastern.

Josh Sanders

who seem to be slowly, but surely, fine tuning the things that have cost them several games in the early going, were paced by the pitching pentuplet of Daniel Szathamary, Willy Thomas, Josh Gobble, Sammy Altman, and Matt Vollenweider as they combined on the 4 hit, eleven strikeout shutout performance.  The pitching staff has pitched 25 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run, dating back to the Wallace-Dothan game, and have allowed only 1 earned run in the past 42 innings pitched.  During that stretch, the Pirate pitching staff has allowed only 20 hits, 8 walks, and has struck out an astonishing 49 hitters.  The offense woke up on Wednesday, as well, giving the Pirate pitchers plenty enough run support in the top of the first, as they exploded for 7 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks.  Josh Sanders really opened it up, as his first of three doubles plated 2 runs for the Pirates.  Sanders tallied a career high 4 hits with 3 RBI’s on the evening.

Sammy Altman

Dominique Smedley

It became a team affair the rest of the way, as the Pirate bench was emptied in the 19-0 rout.  Tim Massengale contributed 4 RBI’s in a 3 hit performance.  Three Pirates collected their first career collegiate base hits, as Luke Ewing, Dominique Smedley, and Sammy Altman chipped in on the offensive action.  Eleven Pirates had hits on the day.  CVCC ups its record to 10-8 on the year and hosts Andrew College on Thursday, February 23rd for a 2:00 pm eastern game.

Zach Helewski

After a 3 hit, 11 strikeout performance last week against West Georgia Tech, he followed it up yesterday with 8 shutout innings of 4 hit baseball, in which he set a career high in strikeouts with 13, as the Pirates shutdown the Stallions of ABAC 3-2 in Tifton, Georgia.  With his fastball reaching as high as 94 mph, the Stallion hitters had absolutely no answer for Helewski, as ABAC never threatened to score in his 8 innings of work.  The Pirates did all of their scoring early and in one inning, as CVCC put together some 2 out offense against yet another number 1 starter, in ABAC’s Josh Pape.  A JD Perry single and Jared Kahn walk, set the stage for David Levy’s RBI single, which was directly followed by Martin Castro’s 2 RBI single.  The 3-0 lead was plenty enough for Helewski, as he struck out at least one Stallion hitter in each of his 8 innings.  With a comfortable 3 run lead heading into the bottom of the 9th, the Pirates went to the bullpen to shut the door, but it was certainly not without some drama.

Martin Castro

 After a strikeout to begin the inning, a hit, error, and walk loaded the bases with only 1 out for ABAC.  Trace McDaniel entered the game and got what appeared to be the game ending double play ground ball.  However, it was misplayed and 2 runs scored, to bring the tally to 3-2 with ABAC runners on the corners still with only one out.  McDaniel calmly punched the next hitter out and induced a harmless ground ball to second base to end the Stallion threat, as well as the game.

David Levy

The Pirates record surfaces above .500 at 9-8, as they travel to LaGrange College on Wednesday, February 22 for a 5:00 pm game.

Tuesday, Feb. 21 @ ABAC 4:00 pm

Wednesday, Feb 22 @ LaGrange College 5:00 pm

Thursday, Feb 23 vs. Andrew College 2:00 pm

Saturday, Feb 25 vs. Georgia Perimeter 2:00 pm

Tuesday, Feb. 28 @ West Georgia Tech 11:00 am double header with Monday being a possibility because of rain in the forecast.  

Mike O'Neal

In game 1 versus Chipola College, the #49 CVCC Pirates took on the host, and 2nd ranked Indians.  It was a magnificent pitchers duel between both clubs aces, as Auburn signee, Mike O’Neal took on Chipola’s Robbie Coles, a Florida State commit.  The game was exactly what one would expect, a scoreless affair after 6 1/2 innings.  Both teams only threatened once offensively before the 7th inning.  O’Neal pitched magnificently out of a 3rd inning jam in which back to back infield errors and a single loaded the bases with one out for Chipola.  O’Neal promptly took control and struck out top rated junior college prospect, Austin Southall looking and then induced an inning ending ground ball to Tim Massengale at third base to stymie the Indian threat.  

The Pirates first opportunity came with a one out single by Nick Jones in the next half inning, but he was left stranded at 2nd base with one out.  Both pitchers continued their mastery of the opposing hitters when the Pirates looked to be in position to take the game in the top half of the 7th.  Jones led off with a double, and after a strikeout on three bunt attempts by David Levy, pinch runner, Dominique Smedley advanced to 3rd base on a wild pitch.

Nick Jones

  A walk to Taylor Hinshaw brought Pat Olvaney up to bat.  First and third with one out, Olvaney popped up in foul territory to end the Pirates golden scoring opportunity.  In the bottom half of the inning, Chipola lead off with a double.  A wild pitch later set up a 2 strike flare single to beat CVCC 1-0 in a great junior college baseball game between 2 NJCAA powerhouses.

Clint Spratlin

Game 2 saw the Pirates face old Southern Division rival Wallace State-Dothan.  As has been the theme of the 2012 season, the Pirates saw yet another outstanding starting pitcher.  Pirate starter Dustin Dunagan was even better though, tossing 5 innings of 3 hit baseball and only allowing a single unearned run.  CVCC jumped on the board first, with first inning doubles by Jared Kahn and Martin Castro.  The lead held until and errant pickoff throw by Dunagan allowed a Governor baserunner to advance all the way to third base and eventually scored on a single.  That is as close as the Govs would get, though, as Clint Spratlin came in relief of Dunagan, and The Big Cat went on the prowl.  Spratlin was completely dominant in his two innings of work, allowing no hits, punching out 3 and picking off a Wallace base runner with maybe the most deceptive move in the ACCC.  

Neal Chambless

Offensively, the Pirates hit the ball hard all day and had runners on each inning, but simply could not score on the Dothan ace.  Going into the bottom of the 7th inning, Massengale lined out hard to left for the first out, which then saw catcher, Neal Chambless, who earlier gunned out 2 attempted base stealers, reach on an error.  A beautiful hit and run single by centerfielder JD Perry, put runners at the corners with 1 out.  A Kahn hit by pitch loaded the bases, saw a less than dramatic end to the game on the very next pitch, as the Wallace starter uncorked a wild pitch to the back stop as Chambless scored the game winning, walk-off run for the Pirates.

The Pirates stay at .500 on the season, as they run their record to 8-8.  The rest of the weekend’s events at Chipola have been cancelled due to the onslaught of thunderstorms hitting the southeast this weekend.  Next up for CVCC will be a road trip to Tifton, Georgia for a 4:00 game at ABAC on Tuesday, February 21st.

Kevin Moore

Kevin Moore is a 6’2 210 lb. third baseman that brings a wealth of tools to the baseball diamond.  Armed with an upper 80′s to low 90′s arm and plenty of power, as well, Moore absolutely looks the part of what a college third baseman should.  Moore is a big time prospect waiting to happen.  Physical in every sense of the word, Kevin is a middle of the order type hitter that will make an immediate impact on the Pirate infield and lineup, as well as provide short relief pitching for the Pirate pitching staff. 

Dalton Rentz

Dalton Rentz is a 6’5″ 225 lb right handed pitcher that is the ace of the St. Paul staff.  A highly recruited pitcher in the state of Alabama, he brings the capabilities of being a front line, weekend conference starter to the table as a true freshman.  The big righty is an upper 80′s mph guy, with an absolute out pitch with his slider.  Good command, great presence, and intense competitiveness highlight the Rentz file.  Dalton will unquestionably battle for one of the top rotational slots next season.

Cam Sperry

Cam Sperry is another physical presence being added to the Pirate lineup.  The 6’6 230 lb left handed hitting outfielder will potentially be one of the next great power hitters at Howard Lake Field.  A sweet left handed swing, with tremendous bat speed and major college power, Sperry will certainly be a huge factor in replacing one of the vacant outfield spots in 2013.  As is the case with many Pirates, Cam is also a pitcher, with an upper 80′s and low 90′s fastball and will certainly provide some depth on the mound, as well.

Friday, February 17  vs. Chipola at 2:00 eastern and then vs. St. Petersburg at 5:00 pm eastern

Saturday, February 18th vs. St. Peterburg at 4:00 pm eastern

Sunday, February 19th vs. Chipola at 12:00 pm eastern

Clint Spratlin

In the midst of a brutal pre-conference schedule and with the Pirates set to play 8 games in 9 days, and coming off a very impressive offensive performance against West Georgia Tech, CVCC continued their hot hitting and dominant pitching in Game 1 of the ABAC double header.  Lefty Clint “Big Cat” Spratlin toed the rubber at Howard Lake Field and turned in his third consecutive dominant start as he absolutely handcuffed the Stallion hitters all day.  Spratlin mixed his pitches well as he allowed only 3 hits over 5-plus innings of work, in which he struckout 6 and walked 3.  The only blemish came against the last hitter he faced, when allowed to a 2 run homer to close out his day.  The Pirate offense took about 3 innings to get going, but when they started, they never let up.  Trailing 1-0 heading into the fourth inning, freshman sparkplug, David Levy, reached on a 2 out error and promptly stole second.  Taylor Hinshaw followed with a game tying double.  After Pat Olvaney walked, Cody Walker gave the

Taylor Hinshaw

Pirates the lead for good with a 2 out single.  JD Perry’s base hit bunt caused a hurried throw to give the Pirates another run on the ABAC error.  The 3-1 lead would be all Spratlin needed, although the Pirate offense got right back to work in the 5th, as 4 hit by pitches and a bases clearing double by Olvaney gave CVCC and Big Cat plenty of breathing room en route to a 7 run 5th inning.  Hinshaw would add a 2 run blast in the 6th in to push the final tally to 12-3 in favor of the hometown Pirates.

Cody Walker

Game 2 got off to a good start, as Cody Walker showed off his rifle arm by gunning down 2 ABAC baserunners in the top of the first inning.  Tim Massengale got CVCC on the board early with a 1 out double to plate Martin Castro, who reached on a walk.  Starter Danny Szathmary was solid in his first start of the year, but was the victim of poor infield defense, in which a harmless 2 run single evolved into a 5 run inning for ABAC.  The Pirates battled all the way back by scratching for 2 in the third, 3 in the 6th and 1 in the 7th inning to fight back to tie the game at 7 after trailing 7-3 in the 4th inning.  Nick Jones and Taylor Hinshaw contribute 2 RBIs apiece in the comeback, while Matt Nettles had a huge 2 out single to pull the Pirates with a run.  In the meantime, Trace McDaniel did his part by holding the Stallions scoreless in his 2 plus innings of work.  Trailing 7-6 in the bottom of the 7th, it looked the magic of Howard Lake was resurfacing for CVCC, as the first 2

Tim Massengale

hitters reached in the person of David Levy and Josh Sanders.  First and third with none out, Taylor Hinshaw plated the game tying run on an RBI ground out.  Another Cody Walker single put Hinshaw at 2nd base when Matt Nettles looked like he delivered the game winning single, but unfortunately, the ABAC right fielder threw a perfect strike to gun down Hinshaw at the plate to force extra innings.  Both teams went quietly during the next frame.  Matt Vollenweider, in his third inning of work, lost his command, and a single, walk, and hit by pitch later, loaded the bases for ABAC with 1 out, and then took the lead on a bases loaded walk.  The Pirates went 1-2-3 in the ninth to drop another close one at home.

David Levy

Monday’s game versus Faulkner University’s freshman and sophomore squad gave the Pirates an opportunity to get a lot of guys in the game, as well as get some young arms some work on the hill.  Ben Taylor was, once again, magnificent in his 4 innings of work as the starter, allowing only 1 hit and punching out 6.  However, freshman southpaw, Willy Thomas, did his best to out duel Taylor, as he struck out 5 of the 6 outs he recorded in his 2 innings of relief.  Sammy Altman got his second appearance on the season, while tossing the final frame and striking out 1.  Offensively, the Pirates scored early and often, with 5 in the first, 3 in the second, 4 in the fifth, and 3 more in the 6th in the 10 run rule shortened game.  Shortstop David Levy continued his red hot play by collecting 4 hits and 5 RBI’s.  Kendell Brinson added 2 doubles and 3 RBI’s, as well.  Catcher Neal Chambless had a great day offensively, by chipping in 2 hits of his own to complement his 3 RBI’s.

Neal Chambless

The Pirates have climbed back to .500 at 7-7 on the year.  Although scheduled to travel to East Georgia on Tuesday, February 14th, rain has pounded the bi-state area and the game has been postponed until a later date that has yet to be determined.  The Pirates will take a few days off and hit the road down to Chipola College in Mariana, Florida for their annual invitational tourney from Friday, Feb. 16- Sunday, the 18th.

Zach Helewski

Zach Helewski gave the Pirates easily the best starting pitching effort of the season in a 6 inning, 3 hit, 11 strikeout performance.  The sophomore righty was completely dominant in his effort with both his 90 mph fastball and devastating slider.  Offensively, the Pirates got on board early with both small ball and the long ball.  Base hit bunts, hit and runs, and safety squeezes opened the flood gates for the big boppers late.  A Nick Jones 2 run blast in the first got the offense started.  In the second, back to back doubles by Pat Olvaney and Neal Chambless followed with a RBI bunt by Dominique Smedley and an RBI groundout by Jared Kahn.  Taylor Hinshaw began his big day in the third with a 2 run blast of his own.  After a scoreless 4th inning, back to back walks and a basehit bunt by David Levy loaded the bases for Hinshaw as he quickly unloaded them with his second homer of the day.  Martin Castro, Nick Jones, and Timmy Massengale all added RBI knocks in the Pirates 8 run 5th inning to run the score to 14-2.  Freshman Sammy Altman came in to close out the 7th inning in the 10 run rule shortened affair.  Leading the charge offensively was Taylor Hinshaw’s 2-4 day with 2 homers, including a grand slam, and 6 RBI’s.  Nick Jones also added a 2 hit 3 RBI day, as well.  Freshman David Levy kept pace with his early season offensive output with another 3 hit day.  The 5-6 Pirates go right back to it on Sunday, February 12th, as the take on ABAC in a 1:00 pm eastern double header.

Taylor Hinshaw