Touched Up Early, Mattie Hangs In To Remain Undefeated

July 4, 2012 – For the first time in a Prospect League contest, Mattie DeDoes was roughed up a bit in the early going.  On a hot Fourth of July evening in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, DeDoes yielded a pair of solo home runs to the host Sliders, along with a two-run double in the third; however, DeDoes never surrendered the lead – and, as has been his strong suite, issued no free passes – and the Ann Arbor, Michigan youngster notched his third victory (against no losses) on the 2012 Lorain County season as the Ironmen eventually prevailed, 9-6.

Working with the limitations of his tender shoulder (tendonitis), DeDoes indicated that he probably did not come out throwing as hard as he should have.  “I have to always remember that these guys are good hitters,” he said, “and I probably came out without the ‘edge’ I need to have on my pitches.”  While the Oberlin college stalwart gave up the two early “dingers,” and then allowed two more runs with two out in the third frame, he also continued to throw strikes, and also continued his low-pitch-count approach.  DeDoes needed only 63 pitches over his five innings of work, and did not walk a single batter (he has allowed but one walk all season).

In the fourth, the Sliders notched another run off DeDoes, but it was unearned due to infield error (and is not indicated as such in the box score below).  And in the fifth, DeDoes ended his outing with a strikeout of the Slippery Rock cleanup hitter.  “With a runner in scoring position, and their best hitter at the plate, I wanted that one,” he said.  He left with a 7-5 lead

Mattie’s next start will likely be after the Prospect League All-Star break next week – perhaps on the first game back, on Friday, July 13.  With his 1st half performance, DeDoes was a candidate to represent the Ironmen in Springfield, Illinois – however, his requisite long periods between starts would not allow him to pitch in the game.

Because of his shoulder tendonitis, DeDoes has been going over a week between starts, and then keeping his pitching stints short.  As long as the Ironmen are in contention during the summer season’s second half, however, he hopes to keep takin’ the ball and contributing to wins.

STORY in LORAIN MORNING JOURNAL (opens new window)

BOX SCORE from GAME (opens new window)

PREVIOUS POSTING – Game vs. Slippery Rock, June 23, 2012