text: Kirsten, Patriots looking for more playoff magic – Somerset Patriots Pulse
  Kirsten, Patriots looking for more playoff magic
  Ryan Dunleavy • September 8, 2010 • 1 Comment
  BRIDGEWATER — In his short Somerset Patriots career, Joel Kirsten has won two more championship rings than regular-season baseball games.
  Joel Kirsten is 2-1 in four playoff starts for the Patriots over the past two seasons. (Courtesy of the Patriots)
  The statistic is the product of an unusual relationship between pitcher and team, who recently joined forces for the third straight September in hopes of duplicating history.
  Kirsten made invaluable contributions in each of the past two postseasons and will have the opportunity to do the same again if the Patriots hang onto their lead in the Atlantic League Freedom Division.
  First, however, Kirsten's new teammates faced the York Revolution on Wednesday night at TD Bank Ballpark.
  "I don't want to be that guy at the end of the year, that (people ask), "Who's this guy?' " said Kirsten, who is 0-1 in two regular-season starts, but 2-1 in four playoff starts for the Patriots. "These guys have given blood, sweat and tears the whole time. I'm just trying to give as much as they've put in the whole year to make it seem like I haven't just been here a couple weeks."
  Kirsten built a reputation as a big-game performer when he won three straight championship-clinching games for the independent American Association's Fort Worth Cats from 2005 to '07.
  The league's former Pitcher of the Year continues to spend a full season with the Cats, who finish up in early September, but has added to his clutch resume at his secondary destination.
  He outshined his seven-inning gem in Game 1 of the 2008 division series by striking out seven in seven scoreless two-hit innings in Game 2 of the 2009 division series.
  "I definitely feel just as strong and more knowledgeable of the game as each year and each game goes by," Kirsten said. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could help the team. If I thought I was going to hinder the team in any way, I wouldn't have taken this opportunity. Being here for a couple extra (regular-season) weeks is just a challenge to me to get more finely tuned for the playoffs."
  The numbers suggest some fine-tuning might be needed.
  The left-hander, who was 31-19 with a 3.34 ERA in his first five seasons with the Cats, was 3-8 with a 4.30 ERA this season. He considered joining the Patriots at the start of the season, but said it did not work out for personal reasons.
  With three other front-line starters in their rotation, the Patriots do not need the same level of brilliance out of their new acquisition. That doesn't mean it's not expected, however.
  "I can't see him being much off what he's been," pitching coach and director of player personnel Brett Jodie said. "I first signed him because he loves situations like this. He thrives on it. There are a lot of good arms out there, but it comes down to, who do you know is not going to fold up under pressure?"
  While his Patriots season debut isn't slated until Sunday, Kirsten worked the past two days studying opposing hitters. The Revolution already punched their ticket to the division series.
  "For me to come in and not perform would be a disappointment, so that's why I put it on my shoulders," said Kirsten, who attributed some of his postseason success to Atlantic League hitters' unfamiliarity with his style. "I pitch my game like it's any other game — with that extra adrenaline rush. Throw strikes and get people out, that's all you need to do. You can't get lost in the moment."
  Following an off day, Somerset's Josh Miller (12-8, 3.39) starts on the road Friday against the Bridgeport Bluefish at 7 p.m. The Bluefish clinched a playoff berth Wednesday and are in the hunt for the Liberty Division second-half title.
  Posted in Uncategorized on September 8, 2010 by Ryan Dunleavy.
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