MSBL ‘Players of the Week’ May 12, 2017

By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications

This is our first edition of the ‘MSBL Players of the Week.’ We will be continuing throwing the spotlight your way every week for the entire summer. Have a good game? A special achievement? A memorable or funny happening? A special picture? Send it to msbllamontia@aol.com and we’ll get you out there. I will post these articles every Friday so Wednesday at the end of the day is your deadline. The more the merrier. Go get ’em!

Submitted by Dereck Sayers, Austin Rangers

Zack Sullivan pitched a perfect game this past week for the Rangers from the 30-over division of the Austin MSBL. Zack faced 15 batters while striking out ten in an 11-0 victory over the Pirates in a game shortened to five innings because of the ten-run rule.

“I felt pretty normal in the bullpen before the game,” explained Sullivan. “But the ball was lively and was flying off my fingertips. It felt better the longer I warmed up.”

Zack is a 35 year old ex-college pitcher who still brings it at around 90 mph. “My legs are what keeps my velocity up there. I only threw three breaking balls the whole game. I was able to hit spots so I stuck with it and just reared back and let it fly.”

Zack is 3-0 so far this season and the Rangers sit at 8-1 and are hoping for a three-peat this year. “We play the Dodgers this weekend and they are the team that beat us,” explained Zack. “I missed that game but get the ball this time. It should be fun.”

Zack was helped at the plate by Darren Butler, who went 3 for 3 with a home run and three runs scored.

He was asked if there was a moment that a perfect game entered his mind. “I would say after about six batters. I can just tell by their swings that they weren’t going to be able catch up to it. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Submitted by Eric Brooks, Chesapeake Angels

The Chesapeake Angels took on the Maryland Hawks, who won the Chesapeake MSBL 25+ National Division Championship last season. We defeated them 10-5 to improve our record to 2-0 on the season and remain in first place. The top performers were Derek Souder, who pitched 8+ innings to get the win on the mound, and Joe Landi, who hit a 2-run home run to seal the victory. It was Landi’s second home run of the season in as many games.