Tristan Baer of Hamburg is UECU Pitcher of the Week
Tristan Baer was a pretty good pitcher last season for Hamburg, though he often got overshadowed by teammate Hunter Shuey.
There’s no over-looking Baer now. He’s the Hawks’ unquestioned ace and one of the best pitchers in the Berks League, as evidenced by a pair of shutouts in his first two outings.
“He’s adapted real well (to being the No. 1 guy),” said Hamburg coach Nick Evangelista. “He accepts the challenge, he wants to be out there in big spots. His understanding of the game and his understanding of being a pitcher speaks for itself.”
The senior right-hander threw a two-hitter and struck out 10 in a 3-0 win over Annville-Cleona Saturday to earn Utilities Employees Credit Union Pitcher of the Week honors. That followed on the heels of a three-hit shutout against Fleetwood in the Hawks’ opener.
Over 14 innings he has allowed five hits, two walks and struck out 20.
“He’s had two really special performances to start the season,” Evangelista said. “He’s really got a feel to pitch.
“He’s hitting his spots, coupled with a fastball that at times can be overpowering. And he’s using his fastball at different speeds.
“Both teams he’s faced will have quite a few wins at the end of the year; both those teams are going to be in the playoff conversation.”
Baer struck out 43 over 35 innings as a junior, with a 2.40 ERA. All-Berks pick Hunter Shuey, who’s now pitching at UNC-Greensboro, got most of the attention.
“We just happened to have another guy who averaged 15 strikeouts per game,” Evangelista said.
Baer was an all-division pick last season and the Hawks’ top hitter, with a .397 batting average and 24 RBIs.
He has changed the grip on his curveball this season and Evangelista believes it’s going to be a good pitch to complement an 88 mph fastball.
“It’s a really good second pitch, but he hasn’t throw it a ton in the first couple games,” Evangelista said of the curveball. “That tells you about his fastball location, the movement, and how he’s able to use it at different speeds.”
Baer, who will pitch at Penn State-Harrisburg next year, is the inaugural Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of the Week. Players considered for Utilities Employees Credit Union Pitcher of the Week honors are nominated by their coaches or by members of the MikeDragoSports.com coverage team.
Also nominated for Utilities Employees Credit Union Pitcher of the Week:
- Mikey Fidler, Antietam
- Deven Sheerin, Exeter
- Xander Velez, Gov. Mifflin
- Brad Coley, Muhlenberg
- Joelion Zapata, Reading High
- Kelton Faulk, Schuylkill Valley
- Owen Rhoads, Twin Valley
