Tyler Mudd helped the Boston College Eagles secure an 8-4 win over Long Island University at Foley Field in Athens, Georgia, on May 30. The victory advances the team to Sunday’s elimination game in the Athens Regional.
Mudd, making his first start in 15 days, prepared extensively for LIU and delivered a performance that included ten strikeouts and no walks. “I felt great,” Mudd told The Podcast for Boston after the game. “I didn’t get the chance to pitch last week [in the ACC Tournament], so I was very well-rested, and that was the best my arm’s felt in a really long time. So I just felt totally prepared. I’d met with our pitching coach, Ryan Forrest, before the game, and I thought we could win with a good game plan, and then as the game progressed, we got out to an early lead that made my job really easy as a pitcher. The offense was going, the defense played unbelievable behind me…it made my job easy to just be efficient and get off the field.”
Mudd kept LIU off base through most of his outing before allowing three runs in his final inning of work. He emphasized his approach on first-pitch strikes: “First and foremost, talking about first pitch strikes, that’s one of our three pillars on the pitching staff,” said Mudd. “That’s the most important pitch of the at-bat most times, and I was really confident that I could throw my slider for a strike… Throwing it for a strike [meant] that we were going to be in a good spot.” He also discussed how analytics influenced their strategy against LIU’s aggressive hitters.
Chase Hartsell relieved Mudd late in the game before Kyle Kipp recorded five outs to end LIU’s season by striking out several key batters.
Boston College head coach Todd Interdonato praised both teams after the contest: “It was an incredible season from LIU,” said Interdonato in his postgame remarks. “I feel like every time I look up, they’re representing the NEC [in postseason]… Then again, once you watch them on field you understand why they represent NEC so often.” Interdonato also highlighted Mudd’s performance: “I thought story of game was Tyler going as far as he did and as efficient as he was… it was nice for us to get our style of play on field before Kipp did an amazing job finishing it off.”
With this win, Boston College will play again Sunday at noon against either Georgia or Liberty in another elimination matchup.
