Former major league catcher and Hall of Fame announcer Joe Garagiola once said “There’s No Defense Against the Base on Balls.” Harmony learned that lesson the hard way Thursday afternoon, issuing 12 walks and hitting two batters in a 13-9 loss to Jupiter in a Class 7A, Regional semifinal.
The loss, combined with Harmony’s 13-4 win a day earlier, sets up a decisive Game 3 on Saturday night in Jupiter. The winner advances to a Best-of-Three Region 3 Final beginning on Wednesday night.
Although Jupiter collected nine hits – including five of the extra base-hit variety – it was the inability of the Longhorn pitchers to throw strikes that directly led to the loss. In all, nine of Jupiter’s 13 runs reached base via walk or hit by pitch…