The Saratoga Stampede are off to a terrific start to defending their 2006 District IV American Legion championship, and pitchers Travis Wilson and Zach Hartman are two of the reasons why. With identical 7-1 records, the two have a combined earned run average of just 1.82, and have accounted for nearly half of Saratoga’s 31 wins.
Wilson has had a tremendous season on the mound for the Stampede, ranking as one of the aces on the staff. In 13 appearances, eight of them starts, Wilson has thrown 58.2 innings, has yielded just 48 hits and 16 earned runs, has struck out 55 batters while walking only 24, and boasts an earned run average of just 1.91.
He has also helped his own cause while at the plate. The Stillwater grad has made the most of his nine at-bats, as he’s contributed three hits, scored two runs, has two runs batted in, and sports a .500 on-base percentage to go along with his slugging percentage and batting average, both at .333.
As for Hartman, he has been equally effective, if not more so. He’s had 10 appearances and seven starts, and has allowed just 13 earned runs on 32 hits, and has struck out 55 batters in only 53 innings while walking just 17. Hartman also has a miniscule ERA of 1.72, in a league that has an optional designated hitter.
A product of Ballston Spa High School, Hartman has proven to be an asset at the plate, as well. In 21 games and 57 at-bats, Hartman has 18 hits, including 14 base hits, three doubles, and a triple. He’s driven in 10 runs, scored 12, has an on-base percentage of .426, a slugging percentage of .404, and is batting .316 on the season.
When talking to the two hurlers, one finds many similarities between the two. Whether talking about their high school careers, their summer with the Stampede, or their future at the college level, Wilson and Hartman seem to be on the same page.
Hartman was quick to note the difference between Legion ball and his experience at the high school level.
"I have more confidence with the guys I'm playing with over the summer," said Hartman. "Everybody out there's a stud, and you know they're going to score for you, too. In high school we didn't get as many runs as the Stampede puts up. And with these guys we know we can put the ball in play and they're going to get the out.
One of the advantages of American Legion baseball is that it gives the players who just graduated from high school a taste of what they're to expect come next fall at the college level. This is particularly helpful to Wilson, who attended Stillwater High, and may have been considered a big fish in a small pond. This opportunity was huge for Wilson, and it has helped to answer any questions he may have had about his own ability, and how he might fare against college competition.
"Definitely for me (the experience has helped), because I go to a smaller school than he (Hartman) does, and I face less competition, so this summer was a real test for me, to make sure I could get out good hitters, said Wilson. I'm a lot more confident going into college now then I was at the end of the high school year.
Hartman agreed that this summer with the Stampede would give him an edge as a freshman pitcher.
"Some of the legion players already played in college," replied Hartman. "Guys are coming to get after you, too. They're all stars on their high school teams, so it prepares you for some of the hitters you're going to see in college."
Another one of the advantages for the players of Paul Mound's Saratoga Stampede program is that some of his players come from sub-par high school programs, where they carry the burden for their team, but they all get to showcase their talents for the Stampede.
When asked why it all seems to come together for the Stampede, Wilson offered his view.
"I think that the weight's lifted off of everybody's shoulders (with the Stampede). You know that if you don't get a hit that the guy behind you is going to pick you up. And I think that takes a lot of pressure off of everybody because they're more relaxed, more confident. I know, being in high school, when I was pitching, I knew that if I was getting tired that were no other options. Now, if I get tired, I can look over in the bullpen, see him (Hartman) warming up, I know that I can give the ball up.
The Stampede is a fun team to be around. They're loose, they know how to have fun, and it's an atmosphere that baseball is all about.
With that said, don't think that this team doesn't take its job seriously. When talking to these players, it's clear that they know what's going on, they love what they do, they know what it takes to win, they study the game and its effect on their lives, and they also appreciate heir teammates. For Wilson and Hartman, this is the best pitching staff that they have been a part of.
"This (staff) is unreal," said Hartman. "Usually, you're team has one or two good pitchers, if that, and this team's got four or five… It's nice to have confidence that everybody that you hand the ball to, no matter who goes on the mound, we know we have a shot at the win."
This team has shown that they definitely have a shot at the win, no matter who they're playing. The Stampede just completed the 12th Annual Cooper's Cave Tournament, where they were a perfect 7-0 to take the title.
The regular season is nearly over, which means that the District Tournament isn't too far away, and then, hopefully for the Stampede, it will be on to the state tourney.
Wilson has had a tremendous season on the mound for the Stampede, ranking as one of the aces on the staff. In 13 appearances, eight of them starts, Wilson has thrown 58.2 innings, has yielded just 48 hits and 16 earned runs, has struck out 55 batters while walking only 24, and boasts an earned run average of just 1.91.
He has also helped his own cause while at the plate. The Stillwater grad has made the most of his nine at-bats, as he’s contributed three hits, scored two runs, has two runs batted in, and sports a .500 on-base percentage to go along with his slugging percentage and batting average, both at .333.
As for Hartman, he has been equally effective, if not more so. He’s had 10 appearances and seven starts, and has allowed just 13 earned runs on 32 hits, and has struck out 55 batters in only 53 innings while walking just 17. Hartman also has a miniscule ERA of 1.72, in a league that has an optional designated hitter.
A product of Ballston Spa High School, Hartman has proven to be an asset at the plate, as well. In 21 games and 57 at-bats, Hartman has 18 hits, including 14 base hits, three doubles, and a triple. He’s driven in 10 runs, scored 12, has an on-base percentage of .426, a slugging percentage of .404, and is batting .316 on the season.
When talking to the two hurlers, one finds many similarities between the two. Whether talking about their high school careers, their summer with the Stampede, or their future at the college level, Wilson and Hartman seem to be on the same page.
Hartman was quick to note the difference between Legion ball and his experience at the high school level.
"I have more confidence with the guys I'm playing with over the summer," said Hartman. "Everybody out there's a stud, and you know they're going to score for you, too. In high school we didn't get as many runs as the Stampede puts up. And with these guys we know we can put the ball in play and they're going to get the out.
One of the advantages of American Legion baseball is that it gives the players who just graduated from high school a taste of what they're to expect come next fall at the college level. This is particularly helpful to Wilson, who attended Stillwater High, and may have been considered a big fish in a small pond. This opportunity was huge for Wilson, and it has helped to answer any questions he may have had about his own ability, and how he might fare against college competition.
"Definitely for me (the experience has helped), because I go to a smaller school than he (Hartman) does, and I face less competition, so this summer was a real test for me, to make sure I could get out good hitters, said Wilson. I'm a lot more confident going into college now then I was at the end of the high school year.
Hartman agreed that this summer with the Stampede would give him an edge as a freshman pitcher.
"Some of the legion players already played in college," replied Hartman. "Guys are coming to get after you, too. They're all stars on their high school teams, so it prepares you for some of the hitters you're going to see in college."
Another one of the advantages for the players of Paul Mound's Saratoga Stampede program is that some of his players come from sub-par high school programs, where they carry the burden for their team, but they all get to showcase their talents for the Stampede.
When asked why it all seems to come together for the Stampede, Wilson offered his view.
"I think that the weight's lifted off of everybody's shoulders (with the Stampede). You know that if you don't get a hit that the guy behind you is going to pick you up. And I think that takes a lot of pressure off of everybody because they're more relaxed, more confident. I know, being in high school, when I was pitching, I knew that if I was getting tired that were no other options. Now, if I get tired, I can look over in the bullpen, see him (Hartman) warming up, I know that I can give the ball up.
The Stampede is a fun team to be around. They're loose, they know how to have fun, and it's an atmosphere that baseball is all about.
With that said, don't think that this team doesn't take its job seriously. When talking to these players, it's clear that they know what's going on, they love what they do, they know what it takes to win, they study the game and its effect on their lives, and they also appreciate heir teammates. For Wilson and Hartman, this is the best pitching staff that they have been a part of.
"This (staff) is unreal," said Hartman. "Usually, you're team has one or two good pitchers, if that, and this team's got four or five… It's nice to have confidence that everybody that you hand the ball to, no matter who goes on the mound, we know we have a shot at the win."
This team has shown that they definitely have a shot at the win, no matter who they're playing. The Stampede just completed the 12th Annual Cooper's Cave Tournament, where they were a perfect 7-0 to take the title.
The regular season is nearly over, which means that the District Tournament isn't too far away, and then, hopefully for the Stampede, it will be on to the state tourney.
Hartman and Wilson both feel good, and they're ready for what lies ahead.
"I'm pitching with a lot of confidence right now, trying to get rolling into the districts," said Hartman.
The Stampede will be at home at East Side Rec to take on Anaconda in a double header on Friday night, and the District Tournament, which they will host, begins on July 31.
"I'm pitching with a lot of confidence right now, trying to get rolling into the districts," said Hartman.
The Stampede will be at home at East Side Rec to take on Anaconda in a double header on Friday night, and the District Tournament, which they will host, begins on July 31.
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