Image courtesy of Jeff Singer
Cinnaminson native Jeff Singer made his affiliated ball debut on Friday night for the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.
Singer, a former Camden Rivershark, signed with the Phillies this past winter and spent time this spring at extended spring training in Clearwater, Florida.
“After I wasn’t drafted, that really hurt, and I knew I had to keep working,” Singer said. “To stay fresh I played in the Rancocas Valley League for Cinnaminson and then Burlington. Then I had a chance to pitch for the Riversharks. When I started pitching well for them more teams started to show interest.”
“The Phillies, who I talked to throughout college, were still interested. When I went on a workout for the Yankees, Orioles and Red Sox the Phillies heard how well I threw and after the workout they called and said they had a contract for me.”
Friday night was the season opener for the Crosscutters, who hosted the State College Spikes, and who play in the New York-Penn League. Williamsport picked up a 4-1 win as Singer earned the hold as a reliever.
“After a game during extended spring training there were two lists posted in the locker room, one for the Gulf Coast League team and one for Williamsport,” Singer said. “I found my name on the Williamsport list. I was really happy about it. I was just really happy to be back in Pennsylvania and closer to home.”
Singer, a lefty, threw two scoreless innings in relief of starter Adonis Medina with three strikeouts. He did not give up a hit or issue a walk.
Singer also pitched out of a jam in the top of the seventh with two on and no one out when he relieved Medina. Singer struck out the first two batters he faced and then induced a groundout to end the inning.
“It felt great. The first two fastballs I got by the kid,” Singer said. “I just worked on location and kept the ball down. With our defense, it’s most likely an out. I was just trying to throw strikes and keep the ball down.”
Jeff Singer retires the the 3 Spikes he faces and strands 2 in the 7th. Cutters lead 4-0 as we stretch in Williamsport.
— Crosscutters (@crosscutters) June 18, 2016
In the top of the eighth, Singer did not allow a ball to be hit out of the infield. He induced an infield pop up, a groundout and a strikeout for a perfect inning.
“I’m going to try to keep the same mentality and still do everything I do during practices and BP,” Singer said. “I want to stay relaxed and have fun with it.”
Jeff Singer with a clean 8th inning and the Cutters continue to lead the Spikes 4-0 heading Bottom 8.
— Crosscutters (@crosscutters) June 18, 2016
Singer made way for Kenny Koplove in the top of the ninth as the Crosscutters opened the season with a victory.
“I felt pretty good. Anywhere you’re pitching or playing there’s going to be those butterflies,” Singer said. “But, once you get on the mound and throw your first couple warmups you realize it’s like any other game you’re playing in.”
Williamsport visits State College tonight at 7:05pm in the back-end of a home-and-home to open the 2016 season.
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