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Y-D's Walker Buehler and Marcus Mastrobuoni named Postseason Co-MVPs

Walker Buehler / photo by SportsPix
08/15/2014 8:58 PM

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     Red Sox Walker Buehler (Vanderbilt) and Marcus Mastrobuoni (Cal St. Stanislaus) were named the Pointstreak most valuable playoff performers of the 2014 Cape Cod Baseball League postseason on Friday night. This is the first time the honor has been awarded to two players since the 2008 season when Harwich's Jason Stidham and Marc Fluery were named co-MVPs. 

     Buehler was lights out on the mound in the postseason, going 2-0 in two starts and striking out 13 over 15 1/3 innings pitched. He did not allow a run and yielded just five hits while walking only two over that stretch. His opponents only managed a paltry .093 batting average and he finished with an incredible 0.435 walks and hits per innings pitched.

     Putting his team in position to win in both of his starts and pitching late into the games, Buehler went 7 1/3 innings in his East Division semifinals win against Orleans and eight innings in his Game 1 finals victory over Falmouth.

     In a regular season shortened by his championship run with Vanderbilt in the College World Series, Buehler was just as terrific as he was in the playoffs. In three appearances and two games started, he compiled a 2-0 record while notching a stunning 1.35 earned run average and striking out 11 in 13 1/3 innings pitched

Marcus Mastrobuoni / photo by SportsPix

     Mastrobuoni was an absolute stud at the dish for the Sox in the playoffs, finishing with a terrific .444 average, a home run, three runs scored and five runs batted in over six games. It was his performance in the championship series that truly stood out as all five of his RBIs came in those final two games and he was responsible for driving in one third of his team's 15 runs.

     Displaying the ability to produce in clutch scenarios, Mastrobuoni finished 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs in Game 1 of the championship series against Falmouth. In the final game he went 2-for-2 with a pair of RBI and a run scored.

     The six games played in the postseason were actually one more than the mere five appearances for Mastrobuoni in the regular season. Injuries gave him the opportunity to showcase his talents and he certainly made the best of his chances. In his minimal time over the regular season, Mastrobuoni compiled a .313 average with a double, two runs scored and an RBI.

     On getting thrown into the mix down the stretch and in such a crucial time of the season Mastrobuoni praised his teammates stating, “The guys made it really easy for me, making me feel welcome which definitely eases the process.” He added, “Coming in late in the season there's always that little bit of pressure to perform. I just had to relax and enjoy my time.”

     Mastrobuoni was also quick to praise field manager Scott Pickler. “Coach Pick and I made a few adjustments before the series. It paid off and I saw the ball really well and just trusted myself.”

     As is the case for most CCBL players, the opportunity is a learning experience. Asked about his biggest takeaway from this season, he said: “Never give up. We fought. We didn't have home field advantage or anything but we just battled as a team. I'm definitely going to take that back and apply it at school.”

     His time spent with the CCBL this summer is something that Mastrobuoni will cherish noting, “This was definitely my biggest baseball achievement. Not only winning the Cape Cod League championship, but also the MVP, it feels surreal. I'm definitely grateful for the experience.”


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