Indiana Pacers rookies Bennedict Mathurin and Kendall Brown on Friday each threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Indianapolis Indians, the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Mathurin and Brown were among those on hand to take in the festivities at Victory Field as the Indians hosted the Louisville Bats, the Cincinnati Reds’ Triple-A team. The event marked one of the first for the two players in their new city.
Each took the mound to some applause from the fans in the stadium. After their introductions, they took a few seconds and delivered a couple of strikes to kick off the game, which the Indians took, 6-1.
Nothin' but strikes.
Thanks to the @Pacers' @BennMathurin and @TheeKbrown for getting tonight's ballgame underway. ✊ pic.twitter.com/fzPuqyuzoZ
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) August 5, 2022
The Pacers selected Mathurin sixth out of Arizona in the NBA draft. He had a strong run with the team in Las Vegas, earning second-team all-summer league honors after averaging 19.3 points, four rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals on 38.5% shooting from 3-point range.
Brown, the 48th pick, averaged 9.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, two steals and 1.8 assists on 50% shooting from the field in five games in summer league. He posted his best game on July 15 with 14 points, two rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
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