Pitcher of Record

While Steve was the pitcher of record in yesterday's loss to Nottingham American Legion by the Princeton group, he and the team experienced the classic moral victory. Part of the story was the Princeton team going against a longtime rival whom they have never bested. Not since the 8 year old all stars nor any year since then as Steve played his way up through the years and into high school. Those names of Memo, Patterson, Chotkowski, and others ring in familiarity.

Not a small by-line of the game was Steve's first start of the 2009 year after pitching only 2 innings in relief for the Princeton High team who put their hopes (and losing record) on the arms of three "flame throwers" rather than to recognize and develop one of the most talented "pitchers" to come through the Princeton program.

Steve, a 17 year old with no real work at pitching this year was matched against a hard throwing 19 year old with one year of college pitching experience. How did it turn out? Well, carrying the lead, 4-3 into the 6th inning before giving up a lead-off double followed by a throwing error by the catcher on a bunt play resulted in runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs at which point Steve was replaced and subsequently 4 runs scored.

Wait, let's stop there. Steve held a high-power offense of older players to 3 runs for 5 complete innings? With two innings of work during the entire spring season Steve threw 90+ pitches against the team touted to win the league this summer? I can also mention that he went 2-4 batting 3rd in the young Princeton teams line-up with the opposing team's pitcher receiving a designated hitter.

Yes, the team made solid plays, even a couple brilliant ones behind him. They played as well defensively and offensively as any Princeton team I have seen. But the Pitcher of Record for this game was Steve Etherton and I can't wait to see where he will go from here.