It only happened once all year long in the PEBA. And, there was only one player who would gain the distinction even though there were roughly 2000 attempts. You couldn’t call it the ‘ultimate’ achievement but you’d be spot on if you said ‘penultimate’. Close enough.

The interesting, but not surprising fact, is Avery ‘Neanderthal’ Carson had come close to a no-hitter in prior years going as far back as 2015 when he 1 hit the Maine Lobsters in early April while allowing but 2 walks while whiffing 8. Be it that it was a AA game might diminish it in the eyes of some but a one hitter at any level is an achievement.

Four months later a torn rotator cuff put him on the shelf for 5 months. But Avery would bounce back from the injury. It wasn’t a blind award when the Florida Featherheads organization named ‘Neanderthal’ the Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

In 2016 he shared time between AAA Chesapeake Bay and Florida with the bulk of the year being spent at the top level as he was awarded 25 starts. In June he tossed a 4 hit shutout yet found himself injured again in October with shoulder inflammation. Essentially, he did nothing for 2 months but rest.

2017. Was it a surprise that as early as July 21 he tossed another 1 hit shutout against the Nutmeggers? He fanned 5 and walked 1. Avery was showing the baseball world that he had the ability to keep pushing forward despite health issues. On to 2018.

This time it was 5 hit shutout where he fanned 9 and walked none. The significance being this was a guy who was capable of going the distance and not the ‘quality start’ type of pitcher that inexplicably became in vogue in 90’s. Avery wanted to start and finish a game. Old school.

On to the present year 2019 and it’s July once again. The opponent is the West Virgina Alleghenies and they are playing in their own house. Not that the Neanderthal man cared.

Here we go…..9th inning. We’ve got 23,618 in Watt Powell Field and the wind is blowing out gently to CF. It’s almost 5:00 PM and Avery Carson is looking at a win, a shutout, and a no hitter if he gets the last three outs.

First batter Albert Oliveira….say it ain’t so…drops down a bunt! Avery calmly moves in grabs it bare handed….took a moment to look at the ball….and calmly tosses it to first base to get Albert by 3 steps. You wouldn’t think the boo’s could be that loud in the home park with just short of 24,000 fans but they rained down on the home team.

If anything, Neanderthal man was even more pumped. Too pumped, as he delivered 4 straight balls to Ed Jones and many wondered if the bunt had gotten Avery off his game.

Next up Brad Davis. Two more balls. Not to worry, no action in the bull pen this afternoon. Foul ball. Foul ball. The fans were now pulling for Avery roaring on every pitch. Did Davis have even a chance? Nah, swings and misses!

Junior Gladney a PEBA career .256 batter as the last obstacle in front of Avery and his first no hit game. Strike one! Crowd noise is deafening. Next pitch back up the middle. Right at Avery! It’s coming right at him and the only question is, will it go through the five hole? Not today. Leather on ball and Avery tosses it over to first base and there you go, his first no hitter!

Florida wins 15-0 and Avery ‘Neanderthal’ Carson owns a bit of PEBA immortality. Just 27 years old and not bad work for a guy that doesn’t have much of a fast ball and relies more on his change up than any other pitch. But, he can go the distance and he can do it in style.