Carson Capitols pitcher Kenny Heald wasn't scheduled to pitch until today's game against Sierra College.
But after he found out that his cousin was seriously injured in a rock climbing accident Thursday, Heald told Ron McNutt that he wanted to pitch in the second game, for no other reason than for his cousin.
"I did it for my cousin tonight," a choked-up Heald said after his team's 10-0 win in the second game of a doubleheader Thursday night at Carson High.
The Capitols (27-4) also won the first game 4-3, and they will look to complete a four-game sweep of Sierra College tonight before starting the 22nd annual Capitol Classic next week.
Heald's cousin, who was injured near Bishop, Calif., will need a blood transfusion. Heald will donate his blood to help his cousin, as they have matching blood types.
"Sometimes you have to put aside your own health for the health of others and do something for somebody else," Heald said.
Heald's performance was courageous as it was dominant, tossing a three-hit shutout for the victory. McNutt couldn't agree more.
"That's tough for any kid," McNutt said. "He knew the situation with his family, but he wanted to pitch tonight, and you gotta let him. I was just real pleased with him."
Heald retired the first five batters he faced, including two strikeouts, before he allowed two singles in the second. Zach Carlil then drilled a line drive towards center field, but shortstop Dustin Pedroia made a great catch to prevent a run from being scored and preserve Heald's shutout.
"I just went out there and did what I had to do," Heald said. "I let my infielders work and outfielders do their jobs. Fortunately, I had offense tonight."
Pat Reilly hit a three-run homer in the second, and it seemed to spark the Capitol bats - which were dormant until Reilly's blast. Joe Jacobitz chipped in with a two-run shot of his own in the third to give the Caps a 5-0 lead.
In the fifth, Dustin Hahn joined the power surge with a two-run shot that increased the lead to 7-0. Then a pair of RBI singles by Anthony Carano and Dustin Pedroia put the Caps up 9-0. Sierra College player-coach Scott McConahay walked Brain Kleidosty, which loaded the bases, and Jacobitz hit a RBI single to make it 10-0 and win the game for the Caps.
The first game was a superb pitching duel between the Capitols' Brian Cochran and Sierra College starter Justin Bridges - until the last two innings.
Bridges, who struck out six batters, walked Joe Mercer in the bottom of the sixth. Jacobitz made it count, following with a two-run homer (his only hit of the game) that made the score 4-0.
Cochran was throwing a four-hit shutout before Sierra College put up five hits in the seventh. Louie Sanchez hit an RBI single to score the first run for Sierra College, but it ultimately left the bases loaded. Anthony LaDuke hit a two-run single for Sierra College that brought his team within one run of tying the game at 4-3, but Sanchez was tagged out after rounding third base, effectively killing the rally. Cochran retired Tony Marquez to escape the inning and lift the Capitols to victory.
Pete White hit a solo home run in the third, and Pedroia's RBI single in the fifth scored Dan Gubbels, which put the Caps up 2-0.
