Collin Wolfer's fine mound debut was spoiled Monday, as the Hens lost 1-0.
Collin Wolfer's fine mound debut was spoiled Monday, as the Hens lost 1-0.
Wolf Pack has strong showing as Hens split with Jays
Sylvester Poon - 5/26/2009
While the Mud Hens’ organization has always prided itself on being something of an extended family—or at the very least a tight-knit group of somewhat unwound individuals, last week’s double-header saw strong performances by the only two roster members actually related by blood. At the Elmjack Babe Ruth field last Monday, the sibling tandem of Eric and Collin Wolfer shined in a Memorial Day double-header, hurling back-to-back gems as the Mud Hens split with the defending NYCMBL champion Elmjack Blue Jays.

Behind a solid game one outing from older brother Eric (7 innings, 6 hits, 9 Ks), the Mud Hens’ strong defense and timely hitting carried the day against the defending champs as the swampers came away with a 6-2 win over the Jays and pitcher Jesse Horsham.

The back end of the twinbill saw the Hens employ the first ever Wolfer-Wolfer battery, as Collin took the mound and emphatically staked a claim to the third starter spot. Tossing seven strong innings, the Hens’ rookie struck out six, surrendered one unearned run and allowed just one hit in a fine debut that was spoiled only by the offense’s inability to mount a threat against Jays’ ace Bobby Gorvetzian.

“We were impressed with what he showed us,” said Hens’ co-skipper Mike Ugliarolo. “He’s fearless on the mound and isn’t afraid to utilize the inside part of the plate, which is something you don’t often see from younger players. We just didn’t get the offense going behind him today.”

The younger Wolfer, who debuted in a Mud Hens’ uniform three weeks ago, was tabbed to ma ke his first start on the mound when Brian Kelley (4-1, 1.36 ERA) was forced to take a leave of absence from the team late last week. Kelley and hot-hitting 1st baseman Edwin Suarez (.333, 6 RBI) were both in Baltimore this weekend, completing court-ordered community service stemming from a 2008 incident which saw Kelley and Suarez plead guilty to two counts of aggravated public indecency. They should be back in the Mud Hens lineup this weekend against the Williamsburg Warriors (9-1-1).

“We’re looking forward to getting those guys back,” says Ugliarolo. “But after seeing what Collin can do on the mound, we’re very confident that we’re as deep as any rotation in the league.”