Way is running so well he is immune to contamination
The 20-year-old pitcher has been nearly untouchable with a 0.57 ERA this summer and apparently wears a protective shield too.
“We had some skin infection going around that I luckily didn’t get,” he told me.
Some teammates weren’t so lucky, including members of the pitching staff, which opened the door for the relief pitcher from Alaska to earn a spot start.
He didn’t disappoint, throwing 4 scoreless innings as the Bells beat Kitsap in West Coast League action.
That was his first and only start so far this season. Four days later, he came out of the bullpen last night to pitch another scoreless inning as Bellingham won its seventh straight and improved to 20-9.
“I personally like starting better because I know when I’m throwing and I can prepare myself better, I feel like,” he said.
Way, of Sitka High fame, is 4-0 with 3 saves in 15.2 innings over 11 games.
The only earned run he has allowed all season came on a two-out solo home run on June 21.
He is currently riding a scoreless streak of 9 innings.
At Edmonds Community College last season as a freshman, Way was used as a reliever for the first part of the season before shifting into a starting role.
No matter where he pitches in a game, the 6-foot-7 righty can handle whatever workload.
“I just love getting the opportunity to throw more innings,” he said. “Probably the best I’ve felt my whole life.”