Matt McGovern (pictured, courtesy of Lance King) has thrown a shutout…and another shutout… and another shutout.

Note that the type above is not a typo. The right-hander from UNC – Pembroke was once again mystifying on the mound, throwing his third shutout in as many starts, this time in complete-game fashion as the SwampDogs (1-1, 17-11) blanked the Blowfish (1-1, 10-20) 2-0 at JP Riddle Stadium Wednesday night.

McGovern (4-1) picked up his third win in his last three starts and has not allowed a run in his last 24 innings pitched, a remarkable streak that stretches all the way back to a one inning relief appearance at Columbia on June 12th. The native of Ottawa, Canada picked up his first win of the season in that appearance and has been on an absolute tear ever since. What is even more impressive is that McGovern left off right where he started after a 1 hour and 37 minute rain delay to finish the complete game shutout. He credits his recent success on the mound mostly towards getting ahead in the count early and often.

“I think it’s about being consistent, going out there and challenging their hitters more rather than just trying to be perfect,” said McGovern. “The best thing to do as a pitcher is to get ahead in the count and with Skirving calling a great game back there, I’ve been making adjustments and once I figure it all out, I hope it will all come together.”

There may not be more adjustments McGovern can make, as both him and his catcher Matt Skirving have continued to be on the same page over his last starts, putting McGovern more at ease while he’s on the mound.

“Skirv and I have talked a lot together about stuff and I trust him and my fielder’s behind me for me to go out and work the plate.”

The SwampDogs got their only two runs in the 4th and 7th innings. Brendan Rowland reached first base on a single for the team’s first hit of the ball game and ended up on third after Jason Coker threw it away after making an excellent diving stop at third base. Matt Skirving then hit a sacrifice fly RBI to left field to bring in Rowland for a 1-0 lead.

Then in the 7th, Wet Delatte singled in Jesse Lancaster in from third to give the SwampDogs a 2-0 advantage.

Tyler Christman (0-4) took the hard-luck loss for Columbia. The sophomore from USC Sumter came into tonight’s game at 0-3 record with a 2.16 ERA in 25 innings pitched. Tonight’s game against Fayetteville was the second time he’s been on the wrong end of a complete game shutout as well as the second time he has suffered a loss despite giving up no earned runs.

The SwampDogs will start up a home-and home series against the Wilson Tobs on Thursday night in Wilson with the first pitch at 7:05PM.

W: McGovern (4-1), L: Christman (0-4), Attendance: 1959, Time of Game: 2:04

Time of Rain Delay (1:37)