By Lethbridge Herald on July 11, 2024.
By Justin Seward
Lethbridge Herald
A magical game at the AAA level happened for a Lethbridge baseball team this past weekend.
The Lethbridge Little League Minor AAA team pitching duo of 10-year-old starter Nixon Fuller and reliever Breken Salter combined for a complete game, no hitter in a 10-0 win over Airdrie.
The game included 12 outs on 12 strikeouts combined from both pitchers in a shortened four -inning game due to the 10 -run mercy rule as normal games would go six innings.
“It just feels good to go out there and strike nine batters out,” said Fuller, who pitched three of the innings.
Fuller felt the support of his teammates.
“At the end of innings when I struck out the batters, they just gave me a pat on the back,” said Fuller.
Fuller felt the team gained confidence from that performance.
“I think we can do it again this year,” said Fuller.
What was key for Salter was battling back in counts in the fourth to preserve the no hitter.
“(I would) get down to a 2-0 count, like two balls (and) no strikes, and I (would) come back and battle back,” said Salter.
Salter feels they can build on that moment by helping the other pitchers to do what him and Fuller were able to accomplish.
Assistant coach Greg Hackson has seen both pitchers work hard on their techniques for pitching.
“They’ve come a long way, and it’s great to see and they just seem to get better and better as we go,” said Hackson.
Hackson felt the team fed off of their pitchers performances.
“Especially with the team that we have,” said Hackson.
“They’re all so close that they know when someone else is doing something good and they’re right there cheering them on.”
The Minor AAA team sits atop of the division standings with a record of 11-1.
21