Despite Georgia Tech dropping both of the first two games in their three-game set against Clemson, starting pitchers Xzavion Curry and Connor Thomas have shown glimpses of what could be a dangerous 1-2 punch.
Coming into the 2018 season, the biggest question for the Georgia Tech baseball program was how their starting pitchers would perform after struggling the last few seasons. After their first fifteen games, the Jackets pitching staff owns an ERA of 3.60 which in all reality is decent especially considering it was at 5.36 at the end of last season.
Leading the charge for the Jackets on the mound are sophomores Xzavion Curry and Connor Thomas. So far this season, Curry and Thomas are a combined 5-1 as Thomas picked up his first loss of the season to Clemson on Saturday. That being said, despite allowing five runs, three of which were earned, Thomas continued to show glimpses of his potential.
On Friday, Curry got his first ACC start of the season and it was going to be a telling start. Last season, Curry struggled mightily once the Jackets started facing ACC opponents. Curry on Friday didn’t struggle to say the least.
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The Atlanta native went head to head with Clemson starter Jacob Hennessy and was keeping a talented Clemson lineup rather quiet. Curry on Friday went five innings allowing three runs, two of them earned while striking out six and allowing just two walks. Curry last season struggled with his control at times but so far this season has has showed great control.
In 23 innings pitched, Curry has walked just seven batters while striking out 23. Right now his strikeout to walk ratio is 3.2-to-1 while last season he was around a 2.3-to-1 ratio, which is a decent improvement in just one season. Opponents are also hitting just .179 off of Curry compared to last season’s batting average against of .293.
If Curry is able to continue this success throughout the season, the Jackets will have a true ace on Friday night that will give them a chance to win every time he’s on the mound. On Saturdays, the Jackets seem to have another pitcher who gives them a chance to win every time in Connor Thomas.
While he did take his first loss of the season on Saturday against Clemson, Connor Thomas looked great against Clemson causing Tigers to swing and miss throughout his seven innings of work. Despite allowing five runs (three earned), Thomas showed great glimpses of the future. While he did allow seven hits, Thomas struck out nine Tigers in his effort while not walking any hitters.
On the season, Thomas is 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA through 26 innings of work. In those 26 innings, Thomas has allowed just 20 base runners while striking out 32. Right now, his strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at an outstanding 14.5-to-1 ratio. Opponents are hitting .189 off of Thomas, allowing just 18 hits over 98 batters.
Combined the two sophomores have outstanding numbers for a one-two punch. They have combined for 49 innings pitched, 33 hits allowed, nine walks, and 49 strikeouts. Opposing batters have a batting average of just .184.
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If Curry and Thomas continue this success going forward, Georgia Tech will be able to keep themselves in ACC contention and will be a dangerous team once it comes to the ACC Tournament in May. The two sophomores so far have been nothing short of outstanding and have become must watch pitchers for Tech fans.