Sometimes years of training click for a couple of hours. You don’t just hope to get to the zone, you walk onto the mound at the beginning of the game, strike out the first batter, and realize you’re already there.

The evening of April 22, 2013 was special for Jesse and the few people who braved the cold Harrisburg night to watch the Fightin Phils take on the Harrisburg Senators (the Washington Nationals’ AA affiliate). Pitchers who have good games often say that their bullpen warm-up sessions are far less than spectacular. Jesse threw four straight balls to end his warm-up session that night.

It took 73 pitches to get through the first six innings. That’s about 12 Continue reading →