Pitching a complete game is never easy, but sophomore Jeff Thomson sure made it look that way in game two of a doubleheader Friday at Winthrop. The righthander allowed two runs while scattering 10 hits and striking out four, accomplishing it all in a tidy 84 pitches, earning him The Northeastern News Player of the Week honors.
Thomson’s effort, combined with the potent Northeastern lineup, helped the Huskies cruise to an 11-2 victory en route to sweeping the Eagles, a team with a legitimate shot at making the NCAA tournament.
“I couldn’t say [going into the series] that we were gonna be sweeping them, [but] the guys on the team had a lot of confidence going in, thinking that we could put up a good showing,” Thomson said.
Northeastern’s offense exploded for five runs in the top half of the fourth inning, giving Thomson all the support he needed. The Huskies turned three double plays as well, helping snuff out any thoughts of an Eagle comeback.
“I just wanted to get some guys out after that, get us back hitting again,” Thomson said. “When you score that many runs, the other team, they almost want the game to be over at that point.”
It was another strong effort for Thomson, who has emerged as an ace-in-the-hole behind junior hurler Kris Dabrowiecki. In seven games (six starts), he has posted a 4-2 record with a 3.92 earned run average. Throwing strikes has been key for Thomson, who in 43 2/3 innings has struck out 29 while walking just seven batters.
All this has come in his first full year on the mound. After hurting his arm freshman year, Thomson split time last year out of the bullpen and the outfield, appearing in 19 games, including eight trips to the mound.
“[This has been] my first healthy year. It’s been nice to go out there and pitch,” he said.
As for his future, Thomson said he’ll do whatever manager Neil McPhee and his staff have in store, whether as a pitcher or outfielder.
“Whatever the coaches want is fine with me, but it looks like it will be mostly pitching,” he said.
– Nate Owen, News Staff
