NO KNUCKLING UNDER: Manhattan College pitcher Taylor Sewitt (pictured) delivers during his 11-inning stint of shutout relief in the Jaspers’ 3-2, 11-inning win over Canisius in the MAAC Tournament title game, earning them a berth in the NCAA Tournament and sparking a celebration (inset). (Stockton Photo (2))
One year ago, Taylor Sewitt began the process of becoming a submarine pitcher.
One month ago, he broke into Manhattan College’s starting rotation.
Over the weekend, the senior pitched the Jaspers to their second straight MAAC Tournament title and into the NCAA Tournament with a series of performances so good Sewitt said he couldn’t have dreamed them up.
The rubber-armed right-hander pitched 11 shutout frames in yesterday’s dramatic, come-from-behind 3-2, 11-inning win over Canisius at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy, N.Y. That came just two days after he tossed a complete-game shutout and one day after he worked two scoreless innings of relief.
“I’m in shock right now,” Sewitt said on the bus ride back to Riverdale.
All told, the side-arming late bloomer threw 23 scoreless innings, picked up three of Manhattan’s four wins, struck out 20 and delivered 296 pitches over three days to help the Jaspers (33-27) become the first team to win the MAAC Tournament after losing its opening game in the double-elimination tourney.
Manhattan coach Jim Duffy said the plan was to use Sewitt for a few innings out of the bullpen, but when starter Matt Jordan got into trouble in the first inning, he called on Sewitt. After each inning, the pitcher told Duffy he was fine, and his stuff never wavered, even though he admitted later to extreme fatigue.
“It was just my adrenaline and will not to lose,” the native of Highland Mills, N.Y., said. “I was not coming out of this game, no matter if I had to throw three or four more innings.”
The former walk-on, who came to Manhattan as a shortstop, began his reformation last year at the suggestion of assistant coach Rene Ruiz, who felt because of Sewitt’s lanky 6-foot-3 frame and athleticism it could be a match. Sewitt was hesitant initially.
“I saw guys doing it. It looked so goofy and so weird,” Sewitt said. “I didn’t think there was any way I could pitch that way.”
After he was used sporadically as a reliever his junior year, he had nothing to lose. He worked on his new motion all summer at home, during fall ball and in his free time with Manhattan catcher and roommate Ramon Ortega. Sewitt became comfortable with it — he now has four pitches, a fastball, slider, sinker and changeup — and began the season as Manhattan’s closer.
During a non-league series with national power TCU on April 27, Duffy gave Sewitt the start and the senior pitched nine brilliant innings in a 2-1, 10-inning loss. He was moved into the Jaspers’ three-man rotation the following weekend.
Duffy said he has yet to decide who will pitch in the Jaspers’ NCAA Tournament opener, though Sewitt is the likely candidate.
“We’re going to plan on knocking somebody off, that’s the kind of team we have, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s on the mound when we did it,” the coach said.
Before this last breakout month, Sewitt wasn’t planning on a professional career. He graduated last week from Manhattan with a degree in marketing. Now, after the performance against TCU and this memorable weekend, Duffy thinks Sewitt may get a shot from someone.
For now, the newly minted Manhattan star is enjoying the moment.
“It’s the greatest feeling in the world,” Sewitt said. “It’s just unbelievable.”
