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Pitching struggles for Altoona is season opener

Righty Kyle Nicolas got the ball in the season opener for Double-A Altoona. Nicolas allowed just one hit in his 4.2 innings pitched, but walked four batters which contributed to him allowing 3 runs. He did also strikeout five batters, while throwing 49 of 83 pitches for strikes.

Cam Junker struck out the lone batter he faced to get the final out of the 5th inning, and Altoona then turned to Aaron Shortridge in the 6th inning. With Altoona trailing 3-1, Shortridge would allow the game to get away. He retired just two of the seven batters he faced, allowing 4 runs on three hits and two walks.

Lefty Braeden Ogle pitched 1.1 scoreless inning, allowing a hit, issuing a walk, and striking a batter out. Oliver Garcia pitched 2 innings, allowing an unearned run on two hits, two walks, and three strikeouts.

Offensively, it was a night of wasted opportunities for the Curve. Altoona left 12 runners on base while going 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Matt Gorski provided the lone offensive highlight of the night for the Curve by hitting a solo home run, picking up where he left off at with his power surge pre-injury last season.

Gorski's home run was part of a 2-for-3 night that also saw him draw a walk. Mason Martin was 1-for-5 with a double and a run scored, Henry Davis was 1-for-3 with a walk, and Connor Scott was 1-for-4 with a RBI.