Riley's Steven Wisser delivers a pitch during his team's victory at home over Washington on Wednesday. (South Bend Tribune/PAT COVENEY / April 11, 2012) |
SOUTH BEND -- When Matt Salmon surrendered his team's 3-2 lead, Riley head coach Dave Luczkowski gave his senior pitcher some simple advice: Stop trying to mimic a former big league All-Star on the mound.
Salmon made the necessary adjustments and tossed four overpowering innings in Riley's 6-4 home victory over Washington Wednesday afternoon.
"There are things that he does, like he has a (former Major League All-Star) Luis Tiant move as a pitcher where he wants to turn his back to the batter and it's like, 'Stop. Just get him out with your best pitches today,'" Luczkowski said. "So we had a conversation and he was just on his A-game after that."
Salmon relieved Wildcats starter Steve Wisser in the fourth inning, and after allowing two runs, overpowered the Panthers (4-4) the rest of the way to the tune of seven strikeouts and no walks and one earned run in four innings.
