[tm1681]

VERSTEGEN COMPLETES APBL’S FIRST CYCLE
STRUGGLING KNICK 3B HAS AN AFTERNOON TO REMEMBER AT EXCELSIOR

BROOKLYN (July 22, 1875) - Knickerbocker entered the final game of their series at Excelsior to start Week Twelve having won the first two games in spite of their underdog status. They completed the sweep in impressive fashion:

In victory there was one Knickerbocker player who put together a historic performance: 3B Werner Verstegen.

• T2: Leadoff Triple to RF off Nicholas Banfield (R)
• T3: Ground Out to SS (2 out)
• T6: Single past 2B off N. Banfield (R)
• T7: 3-RUN HOME RUN to RF off N. Banfield (R)
• T9: Leadoff Double to RCF off R. Daniels
• TOTAL: 4/5 (CYCLE, 10 TB), 3 R, 3 RBI

With Knickerbocker enjoying an 8-2 lead entering the top of the 9th players and fans alike knew the result was a formality. That meant all eyes were in T9 leadoff man Verstegen, who wasted no time in completing the first cycle in A.P.B.L. history as he hit the first pitch from Robert Daniels between a pair of outfielders for a double and a place in pro baseball lore.

Few in the sport will have needed the pick-me-up from such a performance more than Verstegen. A 5x All-Star and 3x Team of the Year member, Verstegen has missed five weeks of game action this year due to a shoulder injury, and entering the game he was suffering career lows in Batting Average (.235), On-Base (.269), Slugging (.275), OPS (.543), and he was on pace for career lows in RBI (26; on pace for 37; career low is 51) and Stolen Bases (5, on pace for 7; career low is 14).

The sweep at Excelsior moved Knickerbocker out of last place in the Metropolitan Conference – they are now alone in 5th. Thanks to poor play by American to begin the week, Excelsior remains just one game behind of the conference leaders.