Welcome to the top five!
According to ATVL, the 5th best starter in the 2016 Valley League season is Charlottesville’s Matthew Sullivan!
Matthew went 3-1, 2.84 in 7 starts and 38 innings pitched for the Tom Sox. He finished with a 1.079 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9, and 9.7 K/9 (which reflects 41 K’s in those 38 innings). His best start was at Covington on July 26, when he threw 5 shutout innings while allowing only 2 hits, 0 walks, and 6 strikeouts. He also threw very well on July 12 against Staunton. His final line that day was 6 innings, 5 hits, 1 unearned run, 1 walk, and 8 strikeouts.
The Virginian by birth (Matthew was born in Bristol) is a Lenior-Rhyne Bear by choice. For the D-II school in Hickory, North Carolina, as a freshman in 2015, Matthew went 3-1, 8.10 in 12 games (4 starts). He had a very positive 30 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings, though.
He improved greatly in his sophomore year, finishing 3-4, 4.21 in 17 games (5 starts) and 51 1/3 innings. His ERA led the team, and he added 49 strikeouts and 23 walks.
Congratulations on your excellent summer season, Matthew!
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