Hey everyone! 👋
What a week it’s been! This past week was intense because I faced off against two top-10 ranked teams in starts on Monday and Saturday. It was a big challenge, but fun, where I went 1-0. It was a long week where I threw a total of 14 innings and 195 pitches! Here’s how it all went down.
Game 1: Shutout vs. #7 WDM Valley! 😤
My first start was on Monday against #7 WDM Valley. I was feeling good, and our team came out swinging! We put up 3 runs in the bottom of the first inning, which gave me a ton of confidence to pitch with a lead. There’s nothing better than going out there knowing your teammates have your back with some early runs.
I threw a complete game shutout, giving up 3 hits and 1 walk with 7 strikeouts. I was efficient on the mound, finishing the game with just 91 pitches. Valley took an aggressive approach at the plate, and I was able to keep the ball down in the zone, getting many ground balls. We ended up winning 5-0, which was an awesome way to start the week.
Mid-Week Grind and Recovery 💪
After Monday’s game, I spent a lot of time with our athletic trainers. It’s super important to recover, especially after throwing a complete game, so I focused on getting my body ready for my next start. Shoutout to the trainers for helping me be ready for a quicker turnaround for Saturday.
Game 2: A Rainy Battle vs. #10 Iowa City Liberty 🌧️⚾
My second start was on Saturday against #10 Iowa City Liberty. The day started a bit weird because our first game against Iowa City West got canceled due to storms that popped up. Luckily, we were on turf fields and they drained well, helping us to get our game against Liberty in.
This game was a real grind for me. The mound was still slick from the rain, and I slipped multiple times, leading to a couple of hit batters. And of course, it each time I slipped and hit someone, it was with two strikes – so frustrating!
The first inning was tough. I had to quickly adjust to the multiple factors: field conditions, Liberty’s contact-heavy approach at the plate, and a couple of calls that didn’t go our way either. They managed to score 2 runs to start the game, but I made adjustments after that and those were the only runs they got! I ended up going 7 innings, giving up 7 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 8. It was a no decision for me, as we were tied 2-2 after 7, but I felt good about battling through the tough conditions and limiting their scoring. Unfortunately we ended up on the wrong side of a 3-2 score in extras.
Looking Ahead: Light Week & Recovery 🎣🏋️♂️
We’ve got a lighter week coming up with only 3 games, which is nice. My plan is to focus on taking care of myself to make sure I’m strong for the rest of the season. That means more time with the trainers, lots of rest, hitting the weight room, and maybe even getting some fishing in! I need to keep my arm strong with post-season tournament games around the corner.
Thanks for reading! Catch ya next time!
Alex Williams 