Veteran Experience Comes to Wilson

Published on April 24, 2020 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilson Tobs News Release


Wilson, N.C. - More players coming at you Tobs fans! Time to bring back the focus to our stud pitching staff. Nick Massa (Manhattan College), Jake Lewis (Eastern Kentucky University), and Blake Malatestinic (Eastern Illinois University) will be toeing the rubber at Historic Fleming Stadium this summer. These hard-nosed workhorses are an extremely huge addition to coach Markotay's pitching staff. Over 3 seasons each of these young men together have made 95 appearances including 28 starts, compiling over 250 innings pitched. This amount of experience will anchor the pitching staff and show its value in numerous roles this summer.

First on our pitchers list this week is Nick Massa. Massa has been the go-to arm for the Jaspers the last 4 years. In his freshman year he came away with 18 appearances, including three starts, and over 35 innings. He also had a 5.40 ERA and 29 strikeouts, against just 11 walks. In 2018, Massa's sophomore year, he was unfortunately out due to injury, but came back strong for his junior season in 2019. He struck out 10 over 17.1 innings with a 6.23 ERA, and he also went unscored upon in six of his nine outings. During this year's shortened season with the Jaspers he recorded 25 strikeouts with just four walks. Massa also came out with an impressive 3.81 ERA over 26 innings pitched. Nick's consistent M.O. over his career has been attacking the strike zone early in the count, forcing contact when needed, and staying away from free bases. His experience on the mound in multiple roles and big situations will play a major impact role this summer for the Tobs

Next up is the 6'2 lefty out of Eastern Kentucky University, Jake Lewis. As a freshman back in 2018, Lewis Appeared in 29 games, started 12, recording nine strikeouts in just over seven innings. An all-around athlete and former 2-way player his first 2 seasons with Eastern Kentucky before turning to pitcher full time the fall of 2019. In his sophomore year he made 16 appearances with a 7.89 ERA, striking out 22 batters in just over 21 innings. Jake was off to a strong start going 2-1 in 4 starts this spring, as well as the Colonels who were 12-2 and on an eight-game winning streak when the season came to a halt. Over Lewis' time on the mound Lewis has amassed 23 appearances on 7 starts solidifying himself as a trusted arm for the Colonels, proving his worth out of the pen and as a starter.

Finally, we focus on the right-handed junior from Eastern Illinois University, Blake Malatestinic. Blake has been a workhorse for the panthers since day one of his freshman year, where he made 18 appearances including 5 starts. As a sophomore in the 2019 season, Blake appeared in 19 games, making two starts on the mound, while continuing his success out of the pen making 19 appearances. Blake finished the 2019 season tossing 42.1 innings and he held a 5.10 ERA with 41 strikeouts. After a dominating summer in the Prospect League in 2019 as a starter he became a primary starter for the Panthers this spring. In his junior year, the 2020 season, he started in three of the four games he saw time in and held a 3-0 record for EIU. He pitched a team-high 26.2 innings for the Panthers in which he recorded 23 strikeouts, only six walks allowed, and finished the season with a 1.69 ERA. EIU has continually trusted Blake with the ball and that will not change in Wilson this summer when he suits up for the Tobs.

The Wilson Tobs enter their 24th season as a founding member of the Coastal Plain League. The upcoming season for the Tobs will see an expanded community outreach effort, increased participation in helping the less fortunate, a Pettit Cup Championship team, and more exciting entertainment for the Wilson Community. We would like to dedicate each successful season to the Wilson Community, Coastal Plain League Organization, Host Families, Corporate Partners, and the Dedicated Fans throughout the city of Wilson. The Wilson Tobs have played host to over 100 alumni taken in the draft and have produced a dozen players who have gone on to play in the MLB, including Cy Young & MVP winner Justin Verlander. For more information on the Wilson Tobs, visit our website www.wilsontobs.com.

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Coastal Plain League Stories from April 24, 2020


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