When opportunity called Chase Hartley answered and his reply was a sturdy seven-inning performance that led to the Washington baseball team’s first win of the season.
So far this year the Pam Pack junior has seen limited action on the mound and has been used mainly in relief duty, but after Friday’s 10-3 victory over White Oak Hartley’s role is up for review.
Due to a late lineup change, Hartley found himself starting on the hill versus the Vikings and he didn’t flinch as he delivered a workman-type outing in which he scattered six hits and yielded three runs over seven innings.
“I felt I pitched good and my arm felt good,” Hartley said. “I just wanted to throw strikes.”
The outing impressed second-year coach Ryan Whitney and earned Hartley a crack at more mound time and possibility a spot in the rotation.
“He’s being thought of, definitely,” Whitney said. “He’s going to get another opportunity and what I would say is he needs to make the most out of his opportunities whether it’s a relief role, starter or whatever it might be.
“We have five games coming up and we’re going to need arms. With him it might be a relief appearance during the week or a start during the Easter tournament but he will have a chance to solidify himself over the next week or so.”
Hartley said he is prepared to do whatever Whitney calls for.
“If he needs me I’ll do whatever he asks me to do,” Hartley said. “I just want to do the best I can and just win.”
Hartley’s attitude towards the game is something Whitney said is one of his biggest assets.
“He talks a lot at practice sometimes but he’s a modest guy,” Whitney said. “One thing that I like about him is that he wants to do well, but he’s not worried about stats or anything else. As long as we’re winning and he’s getting a chance to contribute, that’s all he cares about.”