Around the Curve | First Half Moments to Remember

CURVE, Pa. - As the first half of the Eastern League season comes to a close, the standings have reset before the race to the postseason in the second half, making it a great time to reflect on the Altoona Curve.

The Curve finished the first half with a 31-38 record, fifth in the Southwest division of the Eastern League, 12.5 games back from the division-leading and playoff clinching Richmond Flying Squirrels.

Despite this, the Curve had plenty of first-half moments to remember and trends to continue heading into the second half. Lets dive into some of the first half highlights!

1. Mud Turtles Weekend

The Altoona Curve embraced Mud Turtles Weekend to the maximum! The Mud Turtles defeated the Chesapeake Baysox in all three games, scoring 21 runs to win the series.

The weekend was highlighted by the performances of Duce Gourson, who hit four doubles, drove in three runs and scored three himself, and Titus Dumitru, who hit a towering home run to left field in a weekend where he also plated three runs and scored four. The entire team played some of their best baseball of the first half as overall the Mud Turtles outscored the Baysox 21 to 10.

2. Khristian Curtis - Strikeout Savant

The Opening Day starter, RHP Khristian Curtis shined in his twelve starts as a part of the Curve. At the time of his call-up to Triple-A on June 9, he led the Eastern League in strikeouts (67). Curtis used his overwhelming stuff to his advantage, averaging more than five strikeouts per start.

Since his call up to Triple-A Indianapolis, he has continued to use his tools well. In his debut he pitched 5.2 innings, allowing one hit and two walks as he racked up 10 strikeouts.

3. Callan Moss - Doubles Machine

The Curve’s first baseman has quickly become one of the best hitters in the lineup this season. Callan Moss leads the Curve in hits (59), and is T-2nd in the Eastern League with 19 doubles, which has assisted him in driving in 29 runs, a figure that places him third on the team. His hitting ability has made him a staple in Curve, Pa. playing in 62 games and accruing the most plate appearances in the first half.

4. June Connor Wietgrefe

LHP Connor Wietgrefe has caught his stride in his birth month. Since the beginning of June, Wietgrefe has started four games in which he has pitched 23.0 innings, allowing just one run, ten hits and five walks, amassing 29 strikeouts and earning three of his four wins on the season.

Within that sample also includes a game against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, where Wietgrefe went 5.0 innings, allowing just one hit. That game was the day after his 24th birthday, and the Curve were able to complete the one-hitter, winning 4-0.

5. Duce Gourson - Two Outs, No Problem

INF Duce Gourson has been one of the best hitters in tough positions for the Curve this season. When batting with two outs, Gourson has been one of the best hitters in the Eastern League. Gourson ranks best in the Eastern League in on-base percentage with two outs (.485), enhanced by his 18 walks (2nd) and 12 RBIs. His hitting with two outs has allowed Gourson to grow into the everyday leadoff hitter for the Curve.

Gourson’s performance gets even better when the pressure is turned up. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Gourson has collected 10 of 12 RBIs and has only recorded nine outs this season in that situation.

The Curve host the Reading Fightin’ Phils at Peoples Natural Gas Field to begin their second-half campaign as Altoona looks to create more highlights on their attempt to push for the playoffs in the final 69 games of the regular season!