Sasser a success as starter

Grant Sasser hadn’t been the starting pitcher since 2007, but Valley Baseball League opponents wouldn’t know it from the success he’s had against them this summer.
The last time a coach tabbed him to open a game was while he was a senior at C.B Aycock High School in Freemont, N.C. But this year Sasser asked Haymarket Senators coach Ryan Fecteau to give him a trial as a starter, a move that would give the left-hander more innings and a chance to develop a changeup for his third pitch.
“When you go to college, you find out there are a lot of guys that are better than you,” Sasser said. “You have to fall into whatever routine or role your coach wants you to fall into.”
Sasser, who was scheduled to start Monday’s game against visiting Winchester, said he had to recall just how to prepare as a starter and leaned on former college pitching coach Fecteau’s knowledge. That combination has led to a 5-0 record in seven starts and the VBL’s fourth-best ERA at 2.25.
“I think having the opportunity to start this summer has really helped his development,” Fecteau said. “He’s been able to work three pitches and throw them in any count. When one pitch isn’t working, he can now go to two others versus one or the other last year.”
Sasser, who was unscored upon in 11 times in 18 appearances for N.C. State this spring, joined the Senators late in 2008 and became part of Fecteau’s bullpen that season. Throwing just a fastball and a slider, Sasser was effective as a lefty specialist for both the Senators and the Wolfpack.
“My coach [at N.C. State] told me to work on a change,” Sasser said. “I came here to work on my change, to be able to throw one. This year, luckily I’ve been able usually to command all three.”
The rising senior has also held opposing hitters to a .217 average, good for fourth in the league, and has allowed the second fewest earned runs of all VBL pitchers at 11.
“Luckily I fell into a groove,” Sasser said. “I have a good team behind me. We’ve got a lot of guys who can hit well and play well defensively.”
HAYMARKET HAS WILD CARD HOPES
With five games remaining in the regular season, the Senators are trying to shake a recent slump that has left them a game behind in the wild card race.
Haymarket has lost five of its last six games heading into last night’s contest but Fecteau says the team is still in good spirits and in the hunt for a second consecutive playoff spot.
“We haven’t gotten very good pitching,” Fecteau said. “We can’t get the fielding, the pitching and the hitting all together. Some nights we pitch OK, but we don’t hit that well.”
Of the 12 teams, the top eight reach the postseason. The division winners are awarded the No. 1, 2 and 3 seeds based on overall record, followed by the three second place finishers. The last two berths are assigned to the teams with the best records of the remaining six clubs.
Haymarket was 18-20 before yesterday’s game, trailing Winchester (20-20) and Fauquier (19-19) for the last two spots.
“We’ve got a shot,” Fecteau said, “So we’re trying to do the things that’ll win you ballgames like hustle every play, play hard, play smart.
“This is not a group of guys that likes losing, by any means. I think they’ve come together throughout the summer. I think we’re going to make a good push here. I think we’re in a good place.”