Swamp Bats profiles: Pitcher David Sosebee

David Sosebee

Writers love to use phrases such as “blazing fastball”, “location and movement”, “pinpoint control” and the word “velocity” in pitcher profiles. Then they cite the mph of a pitcher’s  fastball and go to lengths to describe how their curve breaks and describe how their change-up fools batters.

David Sosebee can pitch. Says catcher Connor Fitzsimons:  “He works at such a good pace. He’s able to put the ball where he wants it. And he keeps his off-speed low, his pitches are very effective. “

All we need to do here is look at the numbers. In 19 2/3 innings, Sosebee has struck out 16 batters and walked only 3.

As well as he’s pitched, he’s also 0 and 3. “I might have drawn the short stick this summer, that’s how it goes. They play great defense behind me.”

Here’s where numbers support a story but don’t explain it all. Against Vermont Tuesday, July 8, Sosebee retired 12 in a row. In the fifth inning, Mountaineers DH Blake Tiberi smoked a single up the middle. Infielder Robbie Knightes singled. The next batter flied to right and then outfielder Alex Caruso hit a triple to score both baserunners and scored on an errant throw. After a routine ground-out and strikeout, Sosebee was out of trouble. And on the hook for three runs.

Caruso triples.

His catcher that night was Rob Coman: “He was spotting his fastball really well and making guys swing and miss. A guy on their team had a big hit, they were able to capitalize on it and it made the difference in the game.” That explains one half inning, Coman says, but doesn’t tell all.  “He’s going to have a lot of success in the future, I’m sure.”

Sosebee struck out the side in the sixth and was relieved by Jack Roberts in the 7^th. The Swamp Bats scored two runs but that was all. 

Sosebee has confidence in the Swamp Bats. “The runs will come when they come; we’re not worried about that.”

The Georgia native and University of Georgia junior played for the Swamp Bats a year ago. He made it a point to return to Keene.  “I loved it so much last year, I asked to come back." The summer repeat has been good for David. “No surprises, it’s comfortable. This is a great place to play summer ball. “As was the case a year ago, his host family is Kevin and Heather Watterson and the at-home experience does not stop at the host family. Speaking of the Swamp Bats community, David said "You guys take good care of us. It’s a great place to play. “

Also with the Swamp Bats is Sosebee’s Georgia teammate Ryan Lawlor. Fellow Swamp Bats Aubrey McCarty and Alex Liquori also hail from Georgia. “It’s nice to have guys from your home state,” David says. And, as Garden State native Matt Clancy walks by, Sosebee grins and adds “we can relate we’re different from guys from New Jersey or other places, they can get loud.”