In the first two games of the season, Brad Kottman played first base and right field. He even had a base hit and drove in a run.

Saturday the Brown University freshman showed why his future is on the mound.

Kottman, a native of Denton, carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning before settling for a one-hit shutout of the defending Texas Collegiate League champion North Texas Copperheads.

The only blemish on Kottman’s spectacular night was a double to center by Matt Shortall, North Texas’ clean-up hitter. Just minutes before, East Texas center fielder Blake Ellender sprinted straight back to reel in a shot by Zach Voight and preserve the potential no-no.

The only other close call was a soft line drive to open the sixth inning by North Texas left fielder John McManemin. Pump Jacks second baseman Michael Haynes ran full-speed twenty feet to his right and stabbed at the ball with an outstretched arm.

Kottman struck out nine hitters, including the final out of the game. He encountered a threat in the second inning when he allowed four runners to reach base. A one-out walk was erased when Kottman picked off Andy Pratt leaning the wrong way. An error and two hit batters loaded the bases before Kottman stifled the threat by striking out Taylor Mabra.

The Pump Jacks hurler retired thirteen straight hitters before he hit McManemin to open the ninth inning. After a fly out brought Kottman within two outs of history, Shortall lofted a fly that eluded Ellender in center. Not only was the no-hitter erased, it seemed the shutout was also over.

With McManemin trucking for home, Ellender retrieved the ball and fired a perfect throw to shortstop Aaron McCain. McCain fired the ball plate-ward, where catcher Jarid Scarafiotti caught it on a bounce and slapped a tag on McManemin and keep the Copperheads off the board.

While Kottman was sending Copperheads back to the dugout, Zac Fisher was having his way with North Texas pitching. A freshman catcher from New Mexico State, Fisher got his second start at first base and went 4-for-4. He drove in Haynes with the first run of the contest in the first inning, smashed a double in the fourth and hit singles in both the sixth and eighth innings.

Designated hitter Matt Carvutto brought home Fisher in the fourth with a single and drove in Scarafiotti in the sixth. Carvutto, who joined the team Friday from the University of the Pacific, is now 4-for-7 with five runs batted in.

Scarafiotti knocked in Fisher in the sixth inning for the Pump Jacks’ third run as part of a 2-for-4 game.

On Sunday the McKinney Marshals make their first visit of the season to historic Driller Park. The 7:05 pm matchup will feature the first theGOspot.com Deal of the Week. The Pump Jacks and theGOspot.com will present a new special deal for every Sunday game throughout the season. It could be a discount on tickets, a package price on concessions, or another promotional special. Fans will be able to visit theGOspot.com to learn about the special and download the coupon.

With more players arriving daily, the Pump Jacks are still seeking several families to host players. Hosting a player is a great experience that forges a lifelong bond with a young man, a relationship that transcends the game of baseball. Host families also receive free season tickets for every member of their household. If you’re interested in finding out more about the host family program, please contact the Pump Jacks at (903) 218-GO ET or [email protected].

To follow all Pump Jacks news, including player awards, game stories and promotions, log on to the team’s official Website at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com.