#5 Reliever: David Gutierrez

Our #5 reliever, Luray's David Gutierrez, is a redshirt sophomore at the University of Miami.  He had a filthy 2007 Valley League season on the mound, going 1-1, 1.15, with 1 save, an 0.79 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9, 9.2 K/9, and a .161 opponent's batting average. He completed 39 innings in 16 games, with one start. 

So how did David do so well?  He said, "I guess my ERA was something I just accomplished by going out every day and competing to the best of my ability. I think I came into the summer with a lot of confidence from the season because I also had a good season and I think that helped a lot."

Indeed, David used his repertoire of four pitches: a four-seam fastball, one-seam fastball, changeup, and curveball, to have an solid redshirt freshman year in Miami. He finished 2-0, 3.74, with a 1.52 WHIP, 4.8 BB/9, and 5.4 K/9 in 43 1/3 innings. Not bad for a first experience against aluminum bats in a very tough league!

It will be interesting to see how Coach Morris uses David this year, on a team that has a good chance to advance to Omaha! (picture below courtesy of Haymarket Joe)