CCSU Pitcher Named NEC Player of the Week
By Robert Held
Staff Writer
Casey Brown is a senior, starting pitcher, on Central Connecticut State University’s baseball team, and his final home start earned him a well deserved award.
On Monday, Brown was named the Northeast Conference Pitcher of the Week, by the league office. Brown was recognized because he helped Central qualify for the final spot in the league championship tournament, with a 6-4, 12 inning, complete game win over Wagner College, last weekend.
During the game, Brown pitched all 12 innings allowing four earned runs on eleven hits and striking out a career-high nine batters. Seven of the strikeouts were looking, meaning the batter did not even swing at the third strike. His WHIP (walks+hits/innings pitched) was 1.00 for the game.
This is remarkable for the way starting pitchers are usually handled during baseball games. In the major and minor leagues, starting pitchers do not usually pitch more than six or seven innings and about 100 pitches. Brown not only pitched all 12 innings, but he also threw 142 pitches.
Brown was able to work his way out of trouble several times late into the game. Having already allowed one run in the inning, he was able to induce a ground out to end the ninth with Wagner having the go-ahead run at third base.
Wagner threatened again in the 10th inning with two runners on, but Brown was able to get the final out of the inning on a fly ball to center field. Brown faced the minimum number of batters in the 11th, and 12th with the help of a double play, before Central took the lead for good, thanks to a two-run home run from a fellow senior Matt Martinez.
The win brought Central’s overall record to 23-32 overall and 15-17 in NEC play. By defeating Wagner, it also helped Central to clinch the fourth and final spot in the Northeast Conference Tournament.
Played at Dodd Stadium in Norwich CT, the Northeast Conference Tournament starts on Thursday, May 26th. Central will be taking on the top-seeded Bryant University Bulldogs at noon that day.
