03-10-2010, 05:47 PM
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#6
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Rookie
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Re: Gavin Henson's
Henson No-Hits Spartans; Fans 17
Written by Henry Fredricks
April 10, 2009
Last year against the Southern High Spartans, Gavin Henson let up two home-runs in the 7th inning, including a walk-off, and the Cougar's lost 6-5. This year, however, it was a whole new story.
He blew past the first 6 batters and struck out 5, and the fans at Spartan Stadium were starting to take notice. The ease of the putouts was so high, that Henson didn't even start to sweat until his coach made him jog off the field. Opposing hitters could not catch up to his 2-seam fastball, his sweeping curve made the batters look silly and his filthy sinker was so spot-on that batters couldn't touch it. He rarely used his change-up, maybe a sign that he may be eliminating it from his repertoire, but he didn't even need it.
At the end of the 4th inning, the crowd was starting to buzz. He struck out another 5 bringing his total to 10, and you could feel the tension in the air. Henson, however, didn't look fazed. He still had his calm, trademark look on his face. His teammates could not even make him crack a smile when they told him a joke. This man was all business.
He struck out the side in the fifth, and when the last batter stumbled back into the dugout, Henson received a standing ovation from the opposing crowd. Not even in the heat of competition could the home crowd hate this performance.
By the beginning of the 7th inning, Gavin racked up 15 strikeouts and his coveted no-hitter was still alive. During the entire inning the crowd was on its feet waiting for history to be made. You could see the pressure hit Henson. He didn't look nervous, but there was definitely something different about him. The first batter knocked the 85 MPH sinker into right field, but Cory Kyle caught up to it and made a clean catch. Two more. Loud cheers were coming out of the Cougar dugout, and the home bench belonging to the Spartans was silent. Henson blew 3 sinkers past the second batter, with the last one reaching 89 on the radar gun.
You could feel the tension in the stadium all the way to Miami Beach, as Gavin Henson sauntered to the mound for his final victim. The opposing pitcher stepped into the batter's box. If Henson got him out, then he would pitch a perfect game, something that hasn't been done in over 7 years in Miami. This feeling wouldn't last, however. Perhaps it was the nerves, or he just wanted to concentrate on the no-hitter, but Henson walked his opposite number to bring up lead-off hitter Tony Fernandez.
The crowd get up to its feet, cheering loud for Gavin Henson. Fastball, outside corner. Strike one. Sinker, inside half of the plate. Strike two. Sweeping Curve, strike three. The fans started screaming, the clouds broke apart and it seemed as if all the exhaustion left Henson's body, and he fell to the ground, yelling. His yelling, however, wasn't because of joy. The screams got louder and finally trainers came rushing out to the mound. On Gavin's last curveball, he broke the tendon in his right elbow, a sure sign of Tommy-John surgery.
Not only does this injury put the Cougar's season in question, but Henson's career as a pitcher is in jeopardy. Keep in touch for more updates about this season-ending injury for Gavin Henson.
Game | Date | Team | Res. | Score | GS | Dec. | CG | SHO | IP | ER | H | HR | BB | K | ERA | K/BB | K/9 | Season | 4/10 | @Southern High | W | 3-0 | 1 | W | 1 | 1 | 7.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 0.00 | 17.00 | 21.86 |
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2009 MLB Draft Prospect Rankings
1.) Stephen Strasburg- 20 years old, RHP, San Diego State University
Comments- Almost a unanimous #1 Pick; only raises stock with 23 K game.
2.) Dustin Ackley- 21 years old, 1B/OF, University of North Carolina
Comments- Fast hands that can spray balls to all fields; high consistency and solid speed
3.) Donavan Tate- 18 years old, CF, Cartersville (HS)
Comments- Five-tool player with an excellent arm; brings athleticism from football
4.) Aaron Crow- 22 years old, RHP, University of Missouri
Comments- Has a 94 MPH sinking fastball and a devastating slider; may end up being a closer
5.) Zach Wheeler- 18 years old, RHP, East Paulding (HS)
Comments- Great arm strength with live arm; great poise and strong, muscular body
64.) Gavin Henson- 18 years old, RHP, Miami Killian (HS)
Comments- Raises stock with addition of sinker; lowers stock because of elbow injury
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MLB 10 The Show Road to the Show
Gavin Henson
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