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Neal Sets Record with 16 Strike Outs in Convincing Victory

Gareth Neal, the young British Irish newcomer aged twenty one years, is a deceptively excellent pitcher. He forged his skill in the difficult circumstances of Carryduff, Belfast, where “The Troubles”, as the revolt of mob violence has been termed up there, has made the playing of games such as baseball more challenging than might be expected. Yet he has made his way to Sunderland and is pitching in regular rotation for one of the best teams in the First Division of the Baseball League, and he has been making the most of his opportunity.

Although sitting at only five victories against seven losses, Neal’s earned runs average is a tidy 2.92, and this after rough outings in three of his past four starts. A thirteen strike outs performance on June 1st against Burton United foretold his potential, and this was realized yet again yesterday as he topped that performance by setting a record for the Division with sixteen strike outs against the Aston Villa club, on a warm summer afternoon at Roker Park in front of about six thousand throaty supporters, yelling their approval at each embarrassing disposal of a Villan batsman. Nash himself would have been envious of such a performance.

The Black Cats gave Neal all his runs in the first two innings, and in fact tried to give him more, but even though they made 14 base hits, they could not advance around the bases and reach the home plate for the remainder of the game. No matter. Neal had already gotten everything he needed, and did not squander the niggardly gift. He struck out at least one batsman in each innings, and entered the ninth with fifteen already on the card, matching the division record with a chance to send it possibly beyond the reach of future endeavour. Although he had got only one in the last innings, that was enough, and impressive enough indeed. The shut out had been achieved, his sixth victory gathered up, and several Sunderland fans leapt over the boundary to approach the young Belfastian with hearty congratulations and unanimous offers to stay in the city for as long as he likes.