Our #7 starting pitcher in the 2014 Valley League season is the first pitcher from our champions, Waynesboro, but he won’t be the last: Zach Williamsen, from Nebraska-Omaha.
Zach had an excellent summer, going 4-4, 3.20 in 11 games (6 of them starts). In 39 1/3 innings, he allowed 37 hits, only 7 walks, and struck out 40. He had a .240 batting average against, 1.12 WHIP, minuscule 1.6 BB/9, and excellent 9.2 K/9. He had the second highest K/9 out of all the starters surveyed for this list. He threw an additional 8 innings in the playoffs, in which he allowed 11 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, and struck out 6.
Zach is currently a senior for the Mavericks of Omaha. As a freshman in 2012, he went 2-2, 4.65 in 40 2/3 innings. He allowed 50 hits and 17 walks, while striking out 19. He took a big step forward as a sophomore, going 4-1, 3.38, with 45 hits, 20 walks, and 42 strikeouts in 56 innings. As a junior, he maintained the improvement, going 3-3, 3.47, with 56 hits, 16 walks, and 39 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched.
The structural engineering major also has proven himself in the classroom. He was named to the MIAA Academic
Honor Roll in 2010-11, during his redshirt year. Then he was named the the Summit League Winter/Spring Academic Honor Roll in 2013-14, and to the Summit League Commissioner’s List of Academic Excellence in both 2012-13 AND 2013-14. ATVL loves its academic players!
Hopefully Zach will get a chance to play pro ball after next season, but if he doesn’t, it looks like he’ll have a good degree to fall back on.
Congratulations on your excellent summer season, Zach!
All Things Valley League 