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No Earned Runs In 72 2/3 Innings

Article printed in May 18 edition of Collegiate Baseball

 

By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR.

Editor/Collegiate Baseball

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — One of the greatest streaks in college baseball history is unfolding before our eyes. RHP Nick Petree of Missouri State has not allowed an earned run in 72 2/3 innings over his last 11 outings dating back to March 2.

 

The NCAA Baseball Record Book does not have a category for consecutive scoreless innings without giving up an earned run by a pitcher.

But the record for consecutive scoreless innings is 60 set by George Plender of Vermont during the 1954-55 seasons.

 

During Petree’s streak, three unearned runs have been given up. He has had two notable scoreless streaks of 26 innings (March 2-30) and 30 innings (April 6-present).

"Everybody has been on pins and needles watching this streak," said Paul Evans, pitching coach for 24 years at Missouri State.

 

"Nick’s stuff doesn’t jump out at you. He is an 85-88 mph righthander with average size (6-foot-1, 195 pounds). But what he does have is incredible intelligence, and is an ultra competitor. He can locate two types of fastballs (2-seam and 4-seam), has an outstanding changeup and mixes in a cutter and slurve.

 

"He stays within himself very well and knows how to execute pitching sequences. He also is a hell of a fielder who was a shortstop in high school. Before games, you will always see Nick taking ground balls in the outfield from someone hitting him fungos to help him stay sharp defensively.

 

"Being a great defensive pitcher has definitely aided him in this amazing streak. He has thrown a lot of innings and dealt with rain and done whatever it takes to keep the streak alive.

 

"He had runners on second and third with no outs during the streak against Illinois State and got out of it without a run scoring. There have been runners on first and third with no outs and first and second with no outs, but he has responded by stopping the other team from scoring."

 

Evans said Petree also possesses an incredible pickoff move which keeps runners close to bags. He has picked off two runners this season and came close to getting many more.

 

"Nick mixes pitches so well, and he knows how to attack lefthanded hitters and righthanders. He has a drop down fastball which he can spot up. In addition, he has two different types of breaking pitches — one over the top and another from the side as he mixes in a cutter. Nick has a full bag of tricks. He also is a down to earth kid who everybody on the team likes."

 

Evans said that Petree is highly intelligent with a major in computer information systems.

Missouri State is one of the few teams in college baseball that allows pitches to be called by the catcher. The vast majority of teams have the pitching coach call pitches from the dugout.

 

"Our coaching staff doesn’t call pitches except for rare situations," said Evans.

 

"Our catcher Luke Voit does a superb job with calling pitches and has been important in this streak as well. We have extensive scouting reports on opposing teams and go over these reports with our pitchers and catchers. Luke does a great job back there. I might call a few pitches here and there. But normally I don’t. I feel the rhythm of the game is better when the catcher calls pitches. It makes for a cleaner, faster game."

 

Evans said above everything else, Petree is extremely competitive and doesn’t beat his chest when he is successful on the mound to show up opponents. Petree is more of a silent assassin.

READ MORE ABOUT NICK PETREE: This special feature in the May 18, 2012 edition of Collegiate Baseball delves deeper into this amazing streak and how he has accomplished it as he has overcome Tommy John surgery to his elbow. To read the entire story,

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