Following Taylor Clarke’s shutout, eight-inning pitching performance during the conference tournament, CAA Coach of the Year Monte Lee ’00 was effusive: “He’s the best pitcher I’ve ever had. To be 13-1 and doing what he’s doing is pretty amazing.”
Indeed, it is amazing that Clarke finished his junior year with 143 strikeouts (a school record) and a 1.73 ERA. But what’s more amazing is that Clarke, who was named the CAA’s 2015 Pitcher of the Year and a first team All American, has performed so dominantly following his recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2013.
Clarke’s pitching prowess is a big reason the Cougars earned an at-large bid this year to the NCAA Regional Tournament. And Lee isn’t afraid to say so.
“Clarke’s a guy who could be a No. 1 for anybody in the country,” says Lee. “He goes out every Friday night and you know he’s going to give you plus stuff.”
And Clarke’s teammates apparently feel the same way.
“Clarke, out of 35 guys, was voted unanimously as team captain and as the hardest working, most competitive player,” Lee says. “And he has the highest GPA on our team. When a guy with a 3.9 GPA is voted most competitive and he’s your Friday guy, you don’t have to say much. He’s so in tune with what it takes to win.”
NOTE: In June, the Arizona Diamondbacks selected Clarke, making him the highest-ever Cougar draftee (76th pick overall).
– Photo by Mike Ledford
