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HomeTeam Hot Shot winners: Christian Horner and Natalie Zweig

 
Keswick Christian baseball player Christian Horner
Keswick Christian baseball player Christian Horner
Published March 6, 2017

Christian Horner, Keswick Christian

Keswick Christian has six pitchers at its disposal. With that many arms, the Crusaders do not have to rely on just one during games. Pitchers rotate in frequently.

Horner is among them. The junior got the start in last week's Class 2A, District 5 game against Canterbury. Using a variety of pitches, Horner kept hitters off balance. He also kept Canterbury off the scoreboard.

Because of that, Horner never left the game.

He became the first pitcher on the team to throw a seven-inning complete game. Horner allowed four hits and finished with five strikeouts in a 7-0 victory.

"That was a good day for me," Horner said. "Everyone contributed. The defense had no errors, and we got some timely hits on offense."

Horner is a true multi-sport athlete. He also plays football in the fall and basketball in the winter. He got a late start this season because he was finishing up district play in basketball. But Horner still got in workouts whenever he could.

Now Horner has caught up, as evidenced by his complete game.

Horner does not expect to become the workhorse of the staff anytime soon. Keswick Christian still believes in a team-first concept. That means everyone plays a role, including all six pitchers, even if it is for an inning or two each game.

"Everyone has to hold their own," Horner said. "I think that is what is going to make us successful."

Natalie Zweig, Sickles

Zweig is Sickles' ace. She has assumed that role since arriving as a freshman last season.

By taking the mound — and never leaving it — the sophomore has produced some impressive results. Last season, she was 10-6 with a 2.01 ERA and 105 strikeouts in her high school debut.

But the Gryphons did not make the playoffs, getting upset by Plant in the Class 8A, District 5 semifinals.

This year, there are no personal goals. She is not eyeing a dizzying number of strikeouts or thinking about how miniscule her ERA can be.

It is all about wins and making a deep postseason run.

"We want to win a state title," Zweig said.

The wins have come. Sickles entered the week at 7-3.

Zweig has done her part. The sophomore had a three-hit shutout against Alonso and tossed three scoreless innings in a win over Plant.

She is 4-1 on the season.

The only regret is losing to district rival Steinbrenner. Zweig did not start on the mound in that game. But she could get the nod in the March 23 rematch at home.

"We just want to keep winning," she said.