SportsInk.com photo
On the heels of pitching a perfect game, Tallmadge pitcher Tucker Linder is this week's SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week.
This week's SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week is sophomore pitcher for the Tallmadge Blue Devils baseball team, Tucker Linder. Last week Linder threw a perfect game in a 10-0 win over Fairless.
“My fastball and my slider were really moving and when they are on, I think I am unhittable,” Linder said.
Linder is 4-3 on the season with a 1.89 ERA. As a freshman, Linder was 6-0 on the mound. Even though the record is not as good this year, he believes he is a much better pitcher.
“I am going up against top teams this year, and it has made me be a better pitcher,” said Linder.
Linder’s stands 6-5, throws 91 mph and uses his slider as an out pitch. As a Little League pitcher at the age of 12, he struck out 84 batters in the 10 games he won. “I have always had a lot of success pitching; there is nothing like striking out a batter,” Linder said. “I love it.”
He started pitching when he was 9 and by the time he was 10 he was pitching with the 12- year-olds.
“It is in our family genes, Linder said. “My Grandfather was a very successful college baseball coach and my mother is the softball coach at Kent State University. My dad and I would play a ton of catch in the backyard and I just fell in love with the game right away.
“On the mound I feel like I am in complete control,” Linder said. “I like that feeling.”
He had a terrific basketball season for the Blue Devils and was solid on the football field last fall, but he will not be on the gridiron this coming season for Joe Vassalotti.
“I just recently decided to concentrate on basketball and baseball,” Linder said. “It was a tough decision.”
When not on the mound, he is at shortstop for the Blue Devils and batting anywhere from sixth to eighth in order. Right now Linder is in a slump, hitting .187 with one home run and 11 RBIs. “I was hitting the ball hard but right at people and now it is in my head,” he said
“I love baseball and I have good people around me,” Linder said. “This is what I want to do.”
Tucker Linder
TV: SportsCenter
Movie: Forgetting Sarah Marshall
IPod: That Tree by Snoop Dog
Hobbies: I like to draw.
Pizza: Pepperoni
Bucket List: To pitch in the major leagues.