Mastermind Batting against Mohawk Valley on June 10th
ALBANY, N.Y.- In week one of the 2018 season, Cameron Masterman (Louisville) hit .385 (10-for-26), knocked in four runs, scored three himself, walked three times, and swiped four bases in his first week in a Dutchmen uniform.
Masterman leads eligible batters on the team in batting average, hits, on base percentage, and stolen bases.
He is also tied for third in the league in stolen bases, tied for seventh in the league in hits, and tenth in batting average.
Masterman says his success is in large part a matter getting himself into good situations at the plate.
“This season at Louisville I really focused on taking an advanced approach to the plate and getting into hitters counts and making the pitcher throw me a pitch [that] I could put a good swing on,” Mastermind said.
He is also complimentary of his teammates. “My teammates have been getting on base a lot ahead of me as well which always helps breaking the pitcher out of his rhythm on the mound making my job easier.”
Masterman has three multi-hit games, including a 4-for-5 effort on June 5th at Saugerties where had had an RBI and a stolen base. On Opening Day at Connors Park at Siena College, he went 2-for-3 with two RBI, a stolen base, and a walk.
The right-handed infielder has also reached base safely in each of the Dutchmen’s first seven games and began the season with a four-game hitting streak.
He also walked twice and had a pair of RBI on the June 3rd game against Oneonta that was suspended in the eighth inning due to darkness with the Dutchmen trailing 12-5. The stats will be officially registered when the game is completed on June 24th.
Dutchmen head coach in his ninth season, Nick Davey, contributes Masterman’s success to his hard work and preparation. “Cam has worked extremely hard since he’s been here so far. He’s a super coachable kid.”
Masterman is not the only Louisville product finding success early in the season. His college teammate Lucas Dunn is 3-for-7 in two games played with three runs. The duo contributed both RBI in a 2-1 walk-off win against the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs on June 10th.
Cameron wants to keep the success going all season, by “not getting too high or too low on myself and just trying to drive the ball up the middle.” He acknowledges that it is a difficult season with many games in a short amount of time and reminds himself to “just stick to my approach when I go up to bat.”
Coach Davey plans on keeping the expectations high for Masterman. “I think as the season goes on is going to be a guy we count on to drive in a lot of runs for us.”
Masterman is excited for the opportunity to face professional pitchers on Wednesday, in the annual exhibition game with the Tri-City ValleyCats, the New York-Penn League (Class-A Short Season) affiliate of the World Champion Houston Astros.
“I think it’s a very cool opportunity that not many people get to say that they have done. I am very fortunate to be a part of it. I look forward to just taking it all in and seeing how professionals go about their day.”
