The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Sgambelluri shows potential in rookie season
Coming from Stephen F. Austin, Crushers rookie pitcher Joseph Sgambelluri has become an ace on the mound at Mercy Health Stadium.
That potential was shown in the Crushers’ 5-1 win over the Washington Wild Things to snap a fivegame losing streak and avoid a home series sweep.
“I’ve just got to stay competitive,” Sgambelluri said. “I have to go after (the batters). I can’t fall behind, because everybody knows that the fastball is coming and everybody can hit that. I have to work ahead (of the count) and attack.”
He threw 6 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out eight Washington batters in the win July 3.
In 53 1/3 innings pitched on the season, Sgambelluri has a 5-3 record with 3.21 ERA that puts him ninth in the league.
“We have relied on (Sgambelluri) a lot, and he has thrown a lot of pitches,” Crushers manager Cam Roth said. “He’s had a lot of intense innings in his last two starts. You can see that it wears on him a little bit, but the guy has tunnel vision. He is really focused. He is able to go out there and make quality pitches when he needs to.”
His start to the season was among the top-tier pitchers in the league with an earned-run average of 0.87 in his first 31 innings on the mound.
With the exception of back-toback starts with six earned runs against Windy City and five against Washington on the road, the righthanded pitcher has a 1.27 ERA for the other seven starts.
When Sgambelluri is on the mound, his team has full confidence in his ability to quickly end innings and giving them more opportunities to score.
“Whenever the pitcher is throwing strikes and the game is going quickly, (the game’s pace) gets us as hitters (wanting) to score for that pitcher, get on base and make something happen,” Crushers outfielder Sean Cheely said.
“He is really focused. He is able to go out there and make quality pitches when he needs to.” Crushers manager Cam Roth, on starter Joseph Sgambelluri
“Whenever the pitcher is doing good, it feels like the offense can do everything, and it helps a lot.”
With multiple catchers rotating through Lake Erie’s lineup, Roth gives credit to catchers Casey Combs and returning Crusher Bryan De La Rosa behind the plate for playing an important communication role with Sgambelluri.
“As well as our starters do and as well as our pitching staff does, you always have to say something about the catchers,” Roth said. “They are the ones putting the fingers down, and they are the ones that’s going to make that guy 60 feet, six inches away more comfortable. I think that’s what happened (against Washington on July 3). I think De La Rosa and Casey Combs has done a great job of that so far.”
As the season goes on, Sgambelluri continues to gain experience. According to Roth, his placement on the mound will make the right-handed pitcher’s 88 to 90 mile per hour fastball look faster due to perspective velocity to the opposing team.
“I think (positioning on the mound) is something that he is starting to learn as a younger pitcher, and we are obviously trying to convey that to him,” Roth said. “I think there were a lot more fastballs in the first four innings (against Washington) than when you usually see out of him. That is kudos to him as well as to De La Rosa understanding how to effectively attack these hitters.”
“I think (positioning on the mound) is something that he is starting to learn as a younger pitcher, and we are obviously trying to convey that to him.” Crushers manager Cam Roth, on Joseph Sgambelluri