When Jason Singer takes the mound, the opposition is usually thrilled.
The 5-foot-8 left-hander with bushy hair and unassuming presence often replaces Matt Abramowitz or Ryan Mannello, McKee/Staten Island Tech’s co-aces.
“People don’t expect much from him,” catcher Joe Trezza said of the Sea Gulls’ closer. “He’s not really that big.”
Appearances, however, can be misleading, particularly when it comes to Singer. Consider Wednesday afternoon the latest example.
Tottenville had cut a four-run deficit to two in the sixth inning, knocking out the hard-throwing Abramowitz after 105 pitches. Runners stood at the corners for Seton Hall-bound centerfielder Zach Granite as the side-arming southpaw Singer toed the rubber.
Five pitches later, he punched out Granite, blowing consecutive fastballs past the leadoff hitter. MSIT went on to a statement-making 7-4 victory, claiming first place in Staten Island A by itself.
“Bottom line is late in the game, if you pitch with no fear, that’s what it’s all about,” MSIT coach Mike Grippo said. “If he has a bad outing, it’s not because he’s afraid. He’s goes right after you every day, and most of the time he gets it done.”
Singer likes his role out of the bullpen, which began halfway through last year. There is a rush of adrenaline he feels, knowing he may decide a win or loss.
“I get in the zone, I get focused,” the senior said. “I don’t hear anything around me.”
Singer is particularly tough on lefties because of his awkward, sidearm motion. His fastball isn’t overpowering, but he does get it into the los 80’s and he has a deceptive breaking ball. He has three saves this year in 4.2 innings pitched with eight strikeouts and a miniscule 1.71 ERA. While Abramowitz and Mannello have combined to go 9-1, Singer has decided plenty of games himself.
“He’s a diamond in the rough for us,” Trezza said. “No one really knows about him because everybody else gets the credit. Whatever we ask him to do, he just does it.”
Singer has pitched since he started playing baseball, as a starter and reliever, and said he looks up to San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson because “he knows how to get guys out.” He also has Wilson on his fantasy team, a point of contention with Trezza who was stuck with the disabled Mike Gonzalez of the Baltimore Orioles.
“We always call him Brian Wilson. He says he’s gonna get a Mohawk just like him,” Trezza said. “After today, I think he’s gonna keep his hair the way it is.”