Notre Dame product throws complete game two-hit shutout

PALMER - David Phelps saved his best stuff for last.

In his final start of the summer, Phelps pitched a two-hit, complete game shutout in Mat-Su's 2-0 win over the AIA Fire Wednesday at Hermon Brothers Field.

&#8220It's nice to finish the season strong,” Phelps said. &#8220I couldn't ask for more.”

Phelps made quick and easy work of the Fire lineup, allowing only two singles in nine innings.

Richard Simpson, the second hitter of the game, singled off Phelps in the first inning. Xavier Suggs notched another single in the fifth, but he'd be the Fire's final baserunner in the game.

Neither one of AIA's baserunners made it past second base.

&#8220That's as good of an outing as you could ever want,” Mat-Su head coach Matt Dorey said. &#8220Tonight he was really dominating.”

Phelps, armed with a fastball that touched 93 mph and a devastating breaking ball, fanned nine hitters and didn't walk a batter. Dorey said Phelps hit 93 more than once, and was clocked at 92 in the ninth inning.

&#8220His fastball was enough to dominate people,” Dorey said.

While his fastball may have been enough, Phelps was having just as much success with his breaking ball. When Phelps fanned Steve Shafer to close the top of the sixth inning, AIA's lead-off hitter was nearly sent to his knees as he tried to turn on the right-hander's pitch.

&#8220That's a big time breaking ball right there,” Dorey said.

A big goal of his this summer, Phelps said, was to work on his breaking and off-speed

pitches.

&#8220I wanted to become more of a pitcher,” Phelps said. &#8220I threw hard in high school, but I was jut a thrower. I didn't have anything to go with it.”

Phelps credited his progress to Mat-Su's pitching coach, John Hendricks.

&#8220He's been working really hard with Coach Hendricks, getting his breaking ball better,” Dorey said. &#8220He's starting to mature as a pitcher. He's starting to understand he's not going to throw it by everybody.”

Phelps finishes the season with a 3-2 record and 3.02 earned run average, and has pitched a team-high 47 innings. He is third on the squad with 36 strikeouts, and opponents hit just .199 against him.

&#8220He's going to go back to Notre Dame having gotten a lot better,” Dorey said. &#8220I expect good things from him. I really see him playing professional baseball - five, six years and we'll be watching him on T.V.”

Joe Ercolano supplied all the offense Phelps would need, scoring a run on a Brent Milleville sacrifice in the first inning.

Donald Brown tripled and scored on a Paul Gran sacrifice in the fourth.

Mat-Su (23-16 overall, 18-15 in Alaska Baseball League play) still has two games left on the 2006 schedule. The Miners hit the road for the final time today, traveling to Mulcahy Stadium to face the Anchorage Glacier Pilots. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Saturday, the Miners host the Alaska Goldpanners in the season finale at Hermon Brothers Field. The first pitch is slated for 7 p.m.

Grand View Inn and Suites is the sponsor for the final home game of the season. The game was originally scheduled for June 26, but cancelled because of weather. Tickets for the original date will be honored at the game, and free tickets are available at the Grand View.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.