By JOHN BOHNENKAMP
It didn’t take long for Burlington Bees manager Owen Oreskovich to gain confidence in pitcher Joe Evans.
And even when Evans struggled a bit, Oreskovich’s confidence hadn’t wavered when the Bees set out on a six-game road trip last week.
“He’s still going to pitch in big spots moving forward,” Oreskovich said.
So it was Evans on the mound to get the save in Sunday’s 2-0 win at Springfield, a victory that broke the Bees’ 12-game losing streak.
Evans allowed a hit and a walk, but struck out two, including Kyle Tyler to end the game as Burlington closed the first half of the Prospect League season with a victory after two weeks of struggles.
Evans, a left-hander, is 2-2 with one save in nine appearances this summer. He had a 4.50 earned run average, with 23 strikeouts in 24 innings.
Evans opened the season by allowing just two earned runs in 13 ⅔ innings over four appearances. He then allowed 10 earned runs in 9 ⅓ innings over his next four appearances before closing Sunday’s game.
“He’s still doing his job, and that’s what I like about him,” Oreskovich said. “He’s a competitor. He’ll go out there and give you his best every single night.”
The summer has provided some lessons for Evans, a Chicago native who was a starting pitcher at Morton College this season, going 3-1 with a 5.73 ERA in nine appearances, with 35 strikeouts in 37 ⅔ innings.
“I’ve been somewhat successful,” Evans said. “My last couple of outings have been rough, but it’s been very fun, for sure. For the most part, I’m having a good time. I’ve been getting ahead of guys and getting outs.”
Evans, who is headed to t St. Ambrose University in the fall, has gained experience with the Bees from facing players from different college levels.
“I’ve definitely learned a lot, seeing (NCAA) Division I guys, seeing guys from different schools at a higher level than I played at this spring,” he said. “I’ve definitely learned how to attack hitters at a higher level, rather than guys I can just attack with fastballs all of the time. I’ve definitely learned how to pitch a little bit more, and it’s prepared me to play at a higher level next year.”
Evans is a fast worker on the mound, something that has been a characteristic of his career, he said.
“I’ve always been a guy who’s not going to be overpowering, so I have to find any way to take advantage of a hitter, get him uncomfortable,” he said. “Usually batters like to take their time getting in the box, so I give them as little time as possible.
“I feel like even at a young age, I just got back up there and threw the ball. I noticed it started to make guys uncomfortable.”
“He works quickly,” Oreskovich said. “And that makes hitters uncomfortable. That’s something I enjoy seeing, seeing him work quickly.”
Evans said it wasn’t much of an adjustment going from starter to reliever — he came out of the bullpen in his first college season.
“It’s less of a workload on my arm, for sure,” he said. “Being a starter, you have a bit more of a schedule. You know when you’re going to pitch, so you schedule around that — your lifts, your throwing schedule on the side. Being a reliever, it’s a little bit different because it’s on short notice. Usually I’ve been on every third day or so.”
Evans said he has enjoyed his time being in a smaller town than where he grew up.
“I’m definitely not used to the smaller-town vibes,” Evans said, laughing. “I’m used to traffic, trying to find parking, stuff like that. It’s been a bit of adjustment. It’s very relaxed here, very calm.”
He has become a calming influence out of the Bees’ bullpen.
“Coming here, and being able to show him that I can be put in high-level moments, that I can be trusted, it’s an honor,” Evans said. “It’s something I’ve worked a lot on to get to this point.”
Photo: Joe Evans has two wins and a save coming out of the bullpen for the Burlington Bees this summer. (Steve Cirinna/Burlington Bees)
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