Comly and DeGraaf lead team
The pitching staff for the CU baseball team has played the “x-factor” role in the team’s early season success.
Led by Matt Degraaf and Patrick Comly, the Buffs’ pitching staff has greatly improved from a year ago.
However, young pitchers are also the team out as well.
Shams Sayed, a freshman pitcher, threw a no-hitter during his stint in Florida, and Nate Artist shut down the opposition during closing role for the Buffs.
“I throw a fastball, curveball and knuckleball,” Artist said. “I just need to be confident to be effective. That’s what I need to do to stay successful.”
The Buffaloes went 4-2 in the tournament knocking off Northwestern, Ohio University, UC-Santa Barbara and Wisconsin. Their losses came to Missouri and in their second game against UC-Santa Barbara.
The Buffs are ranked No. 1 in their Mid-American Region-West conference. They are 7-1 in conference play, and 11-3 overall.
Team captain Joey Fulcher said the key to their success in the conference so far has been due in large part to pitching.
The Buffs pitching staff also has earned the No. 1 rank in the conference so far this season, with just above a 2.50 ERA.
Fulcher said it is no secret that the Buffs’ pitching success largely lies in the arms of their one-two punch of Matt DeGraaf and Pat Comly.
“Our ace is definitely Matt DeGraaf,” Fulcher said. “His stats are on line, but overall, he has always given us a good outing. He goes deep into ballgames so that our relief pitchers don’t have to work too hard. I believe his era is 0.75 right now. It’s remarkable”
DeGraaf blanked CSU this season and has been statistically the most dominant pitcher in the conference.
“Our number two guy is Pat Comly,” Fulcher said. “He is a veteran guy that has been with the team for four years. He has great stuff and we always have confidence in him to pitch a competitive game. He gives us a chance to win.”
Comly has been the No. 1 starter for the Buffs in his past three seasons, but has taken a backseat to DeGraaf this year.
“To win, we need to pitch strike – that’s all,” Comly said. “Our defense and hitting are good enough if we do just that.”
Comly has a 2.25 earned run average, leads the team in complete games with two, and has a 2-0 record.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Brent New at brent.new@colorado.edu.
