Chance Fitzgerald held the spotlight in the Tigers’ 9-1 win over the Presbyterian Blue Hose on Wednesday. The sophomore had a career night, recording a new high in innings pitched, five, and strikeouts, tallying six putouts.
Fitzgerald was quick to share the success, crediting catcher Luke Gaffney with a helpful performance behind the plate and pitching coach Jimmy Belanger.
“Just having Luke Gaffney back there, being a wall, picking up our guys, and Coach Belanger called a great game,” Fitzgerald said. “Go out with that combination, mixed with seven of the best defenders in the country behind me, things kind of click. It’s easy to work with the guys around me.”
Head coach Erik Bakich handed the ball to Fitzgerald in the second inning to relieve starter Talan Bell. Despite inheriting two runners with no outs, Fitzgerald managed to escape the inning, allowing only one unearned run and keeping the Tigers ahead.
It was smooth sailing for the next three innings, as the only batter to reach was due to error. In the fifth inning, Fitzgerald struck out a career-high fourth batter.
Presbyterian picked up their first hit off of Fitzgerald in the sixth inning, a one-out double followed by a single that put runners on the corners. Since Fitzgerald had never lasted more than three innings in his career, when Bakich started walking to the mound, it looked as if Fitzgerald was done for the night.
However, after a brief mound visit, Bakich left without Fitzgerald by his side. The sophomore went on to strike out the next two batters, extending his new career high with his fifth and sixth strikeouts.
With a big series against Georgia Tech in Atlanta this weekend, Fitzgerald going the distance relieved a lot of pressure on the bullpen going into Friday.
“Saving guys for the weekend is a big part, and just being able to eat up innings so those guys can go out and give us some valuable innings in Atlanta this weekend,” Fitzgerald said.
The Tigers will hope for another ACC series win in its first in-conference away series this weekend.
