Christian Pelaez of Akadema Prospects scores on a single by Anthony Nyhius.
By Sean Reilly
It’s not that Corey Mulholland had a bad high school season. It wasn’t the case at all. He just knew he could perform a bit better.
So improving his pitching has become a prime focus this summer playing for Akadema Prospects, and the results have been noticeable.
“It’s been great so far,” he said. “My high school season was not really where it needed to be. I think I can definitely improve on my pitching.”
The latest summer effort for Mulholland, a rising senior at Wayne Hills High School, was a three-hitter when Akadema Prospects beat Power Arm Baseball, 7-1, in a Diamond Nation 17/18U World Series matchup on Tuesday morning in Flemington.
Mulholland, a 6-3, 185-pound right-hander, didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning. He struck out three and walked two while performing in the steamy conditions.
“My fastball was working,” said Mulholland. “Whenever I got ahead in the count, I was able to throw my slider and change up.”
Alex Kuhn of Power Arm Baseball fires to second to complete strike out/throw out double play.
Getting ahead was also something he was able to do consistently for Akadema, which was playing its first of four games at the tournament.
Akadema loaded the bases in the top of the first, but could not score. But it did strike in each of the next three innings, including a five-run third.
In the second inning, Christian Pelaez led off and was hit by a pitch. He took second after an errant pickoff try, and scored on a one-out single to right field by Anthony Nyhius.
The third inning began with singles by Nick Laccitiello (3-for-4) and Devin Buntzen (3-for-4). An error moved them into scoring position. Matt Nicholson then walked on a full count to load the bases.
Mickey Gilligan walked to score Laccitiello, and after a strikeout, Pelaez walked to score Buntzen. Harrison Curran was safe on a fielder’s choice after an error, while also being credited with an RBI as Nicholson scored from third for a 4-0 lead.
The other runs scored after Sean Bauer drew a bases-loaded walk, and on a throwing error back to the infield following a fly out hit by Nyhius.
The fourth inning also began with singles by Laccitiello and Buntzen. After a fly out and then a walk to Gilligan, a ground out to first base from Pete Hammerle scored Laccitiello for a 7-0 score.
Mulholland, meanwhile, did not allow a hit until Nick Hernandez singled with one in the fifth for Power Arm Baseball, which was also playing its first game of the week. The next batter grounded into a double play.
Akadema Prospects pitcher Corey Mulholland is greeted by catcher Mickey Gilligan.
With the time clock having run out, Power Arm baseball scored its only run on the last play of the game, in the bottom of the sixth.
Lucas Barker singled with one out and stole second. After a fly out, Allen Hernandez hit an RBI single to left field. Following a throw to the plate, a strong throw to second by catcher Gilligan erased the runner for the game-ending out.
“We haven’t lost too much,” Mulholland said. “I just have to keep working out every day, stay in the weight room and keep throwing. My teammates have done a great job making plays to also make it easier.”