Post by elp525 on May 18, 2010 4:23:02 GMT -5
Monday May 17, 2010
by Mickey Furfari
For the Daily Mail
MORGANTOWN - Chris Enourato is one of the best late-innings relief pitchers in West Virginia University's baseball history.
The 6-foot, 205-pound senior from Bridgeport owns the all-time school career records for most saves with 21 and appearances with 68. He has a 17-5 record and 4.23 earned run average.
Enourato, a right-hander, was a highly effective starter for Bridgeport High School, but he agreed to be a reliever when he enrolled at WVU as a freshman.
"I've really enjoyed my years here," he said. "Things worked out well for me. My favorite pitch is a good breaking ball and I have a good slider."
Coach Greg Van Zant obviously has been pleased with Enourato's performances. He said, "Boy, he's going to be sorely missed. He's so unselfish. He just wants to win games."
"You've got to have a guy down in the bullpen that can shut the door when a game is tight. He's been doing that since he came here. He's done a great job for us."
Enourato has graduated with a bachelor's degree in athletic coaching education. But he hopes to be selected in next month's Major League Baseball first-year player draft. Some scouts have shown interest.
His 21st save came last weekend in a 6-5 victory over Notre Dame, in what was the first WVU three-game series sweep of the Irish in the program's history.
"That was awesome," Enourato said. "I wanted to help the team move closer to qualifying for the Big East Tournament."
In helping the Mountaineers to a 22-26 record, he has made 16 appearances, pitched 56 innings, struck out 52 and walked 11. He also has given up 70 hits, 30 earned runs, 12 doubles and six home runs.
Enourato posted a 4-1 record during that stretch and had an ERA of 4.80. The 21 saves topped the previous record of 14 saves by Mike Marz in 1993-94.
Enourato, whose diving sinker is his out pitch, remains one of the top closers in the Big East Conference. He is listed on more than one national watch list for closers.
He starred in the Valley League last summer and was named to its all-star team for the second time.
He was a running back and linebacker in football at Bridgeport High as well as a Class AAA All-State selection in baseball. He was a two-time all-stater in baseball, All-Big 10 Conference Pitcher of the Year and All-Harrison County Player of the Year in 2006. Enourato suffered a torn ACL early in his senior football season in a game against Lewis County, and missed the rest of the 2005 season. He returned to the diamond after missing the opening week of the 2006 campaign, and led the Indians to a Region 2 final appearance against eventual state champion Jefferson.
by Mickey Furfari
For the Daily Mail
MORGANTOWN - Chris Enourato is one of the best late-innings relief pitchers in West Virginia University's baseball history.
The 6-foot, 205-pound senior from Bridgeport owns the all-time school career records for most saves with 21 and appearances with 68. He has a 17-5 record and 4.23 earned run average.
Enourato, a right-hander, was a highly effective starter for Bridgeport High School, but he agreed to be a reliever when he enrolled at WVU as a freshman.
"I've really enjoyed my years here," he said. "Things worked out well for me. My favorite pitch is a good breaking ball and I have a good slider."
Coach Greg Van Zant obviously has been pleased with Enourato's performances. He said, "Boy, he's going to be sorely missed. He's so unselfish. He just wants to win games."
"You've got to have a guy down in the bullpen that can shut the door when a game is tight. He's been doing that since he came here. He's done a great job for us."
Enourato has graduated with a bachelor's degree in athletic coaching education. But he hopes to be selected in next month's Major League Baseball first-year player draft. Some scouts have shown interest.
His 21st save came last weekend in a 6-5 victory over Notre Dame, in what was the first WVU three-game series sweep of the Irish in the program's history.
"That was awesome," Enourato said. "I wanted to help the team move closer to qualifying for the Big East Tournament."
In helping the Mountaineers to a 22-26 record, he has made 16 appearances, pitched 56 innings, struck out 52 and walked 11. He also has given up 70 hits, 30 earned runs, 12 doubles and six home runs.
Enourato posted a 4-1 record during that stretch and had an ERA of 4.80. The 21 saves topped the previous record of 14 saves by Mike Marz in 1993-94.
Enourato, whose diving sinker is his out pitch, remains one of the top closers in the Big East Conference. He is listed on more than one national watch list for closers.
He starred in the Valley League last summer and was named to its all-star team for the second time.
He was a running back and linebacker in football at Bridgeport High as well as a Class AAA All-State selection in baseball. He was a two-time all-stater in baseball, All-Big 10 Conference Pitcher of the Year and All-Harrison County Player of the Year in 2006. Enourato suffered a torn ACL early in his senior football season in a game against Lewis County, and missed the rest of the 2005 season. He returned to the diamond after missing the opening week of the 2006 campaign, and led the Indians to a Region 2 final appearance against eventual state champion Jefferson.
