Ryo Kohigashi strikes out 15 batters

BASEBALL. Baseball fans who braved the wind were treated to another brilliant performance from Ryo Kohigashi on Friday night at the Jacques-Desautels stadium.

Seeming invincible on the mound, the Japanese pitcher guided Brock Nutrite Lambert to a 9-4 win over Cactus de Victoriaville. In six innings of work, he made no less than 15 strikeouts. The 25-year-old southpaw held the opponent to one run on three hits and two walks.

Behind the plate, Michael Varga has been in the front row to witness the prowess of Ryo Kohigashi since the start of the season.

“The most important thing for a pitcher is to attack the strike zone, explained the American catcher. That’s exactly what Ryo does. He is able to reach around corners when necessary. Tonight, he made some really good shots in important moments.”

Undefeated in two decisions, Ryo Kohigashi is posting a 1.50 ERA so far this season. In 14 innings, he already boasts 30 strikeouts, a record in the Quebec Major Baseball League (LBMQ), and only four walks. The one who played professionally in Australia and Japan limited opposing hitters to a 0.153 batting average.

“Ryo has six shots and I can count on four or five of them to reach the strike zone,” said Michael Varga. It makes him incredibly difficult to play against because hitters can’t figure out which pitch he’s going to use.”

Defense first

Against the Cactus, Michael Varga scored his second home run of the season, a two-run slap in the first inning. The one who has evolved in independent baseball in the United States and among professionals in Europe and Australia in recent years, however, prefers to shine the spotlight on his teammates.

“As a receiver, my job is to make our pitchers perform. I put my focus on my defense first and foremost, explained the 26-year-old Connecticut native. Everything I do offensively is a bonus. If no one notices what I’m doing behind the game, that means I’m doing a good job and so are our pitchers. And when our pitchers perform well, I’m a happy guy!”

At bat, Samuel Guilbert also hit a two-run homer in the third inning. Tom Guilbert, Mathieu Audet, Marc-Antoine Lefebvre and Gabriel Deblois each hit a double.

Due to the very windy conditions making it difficult to capture the slightest ball, this all-centric duel gave rise to some spectacular games. The Cactus defense made no less than five errors, against only one for the Brock.

Taking advantage of this largesse, the Drummondvillois took a 7-0 lead in the opening round. The rest of the match was Ryo Kohigashi’s business.

Coming in relief in the seventh inning, while the Brock led 9-1, Jonathan Cardin allowed three runs on four hits and one walk.

Cactus (2-2) starter Mathieu Massicotte had a night to forget. In two and a third innings of work, the 23-year-old right-hander was the victim of nine runs, including six earned, on seven hits and two walks. Anthony Fortin and Pier-Olivier Marcoux pitched in relief.

The Brock (2-3) will host the Cascades (4-0) on Wednesday night, starting at 8 p.m. The Drummondvillois will try to avenge the heartbreaking setback suffered earlier this week in Shawinigan.