Mexico catcher Ty Sims recalls that pitcher Josh Forbis had a kind of premonition on Tuesday. If not a foreshadowing of greatness, at least Forbis was limber.
“He said ‘this is the best my arm …
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Mexico catcher Ty Sims recalls that pitcher Josh Forbis had a kind of premonition on Tuesday. If not a foreshadowing of greatness, at least Forbis was limber.
“He said ‘this is the best my arm has felt all year,’” Sims noted.
With that, the Mexico right hander went out and delivered a memorable performance. Not only did he blank Moberly 5-0, Forbis tossed a no hitter, fanning 8 and allowing just three baserunners – two on walks, one on an error.
Meanwhile, Bulldogs bats gave Forbis all the support he needed. Ty Prince drew a walk and stole second in the bottom of the first. He scored on a double by Jesse Fennewald, who added to the tally on a base knock by Daeye Miller.
In the second, a single by Prince plated Brock Smythe, courtesy runner for Sims. Later in the game, Fennewald drove in Prince and Smythe scored on an error.
But it was superfluous padding. Forbis needed little help.
“My plan was to let them hit the ball to my defense,” he explained. “That’s what I did.”
An age-old baseball superstition rules that when teammates realize their pitcher is closing in on a no-hitter, they dare not jinx the outcome by talking to him. But Forbis pointed out that the Bulldogs brought the possibility to his attention in the fourth inning.
“I didn’t want to think about it,” he said.
Both Forbis and his catcher credit liberal use to a sharp curve, as well as an improving change up for confusing Moberly hitters.
“He had the curveball going,” Sims pointed out.
But there was some pressure as the no-no appeared certain. With two down in the top of the seventh, Forbis issued a walk to Sam Martin.
The turn of events troubled Sims.
“I can’t mess it up for him,” was the refrain that ran through Sims’ mind.
No matter. Forbis flashed two strikes past Chris Coonce and then coaxed a ground out, pitcher to first.
Earlier in the week, the Bulldogs dropped the opener of the Fulton Tournament 10-6 to the hosts. Fennewald and Andrew Runge had two hits. Sims was plunked twice by pitches and Prince slammed a triple to keep Mexico in play.
