"It is a little friendly competition, and I am always one of the biggest fans of whoever is pitching that day," Coshow said.
TRENTON- Cale Coshow, and the rest of the young Trenton Thunder pitching staff, have a friendly rivalry when they take the hill.
As one of a talented starting rotation, Coshow, the 23-year old hurler out of Oklahoma Christian University, made his seventh start for the Thunder since he came up in August of 2015.
With Coshow's breaking stuff dropping quicker than the temperature at Arm & Hammer Park, the big Trenton righty took the mound Friday night in the second of a three game opening series with the Erie Seawolves (1-1). Coshow went 5.1 innings, with seven strikeouts, and he allowed three runs in the Thunder's 7-4 win.
He did not factor in the decision, as the Thunder (1-1) came from behind, scoring three runs in the sixth to take the lead for good. Dante Bichette Jr. had the big blow in that frame, with a monster two-run home run to dead center field, to give the hosts a 4-3 lead.
Bichette Jr. also had a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh, to give Trenton a 6-3 lead. Dustin Fowler also had a big night for the Thunder, as he went 3-for-4, with three runs scored.
"(That time last year) allowed me to be a little more comfortable," Coshow said. "Last year, I didn't know what to expect, with the crowd, and the atmosphere, and especially the teams as well."
"Overall, I feel a little bit more comfortable here this year," Coshow said.
He got the start after 22-year old Brady Lail, who took the ball on opening night. Following him will be Ronald Herrera, a 20-year old picked up from San Diego via a trade, 24-year old Dietrich Enns, and big 23-year old lefty Jordan Montgomery.
With that much youth in the ranks, Coshow is expecting some big games from his teammates when they take the mound.
"We have every kind of pitcher here," Coshow said. "Even with Herrera, who came over from the Padres. I have seen him pitch and he fills the zone up really well. I feel definitely one of our strong suits is going to be our pitching staff this year."
"It is kind of a friendly competition," Coshow said. "If one guy goes six innings with nine K's, I want to go seven innings with 10 K's."
"It is a little friendly competition, and I am always one of the biggest fans of whoever is pitching that day," Coshow said. "I always want to see them succeed, because the ultimate goal is to get to the major leagues, and I definitely want to see every one of our players, position players or pitchers, in the big leagues at some point."
Thunder manager Bobby Mitchell had nothing but praise for his mound corps.
"I love our starters," Mitchell said. "Really good arms, they throw strikes, which is huge, I think, in their development, and just keeping your defense on its toes."
"Herrera is 20-years old, and is very polished for that age," Mitchell said. "He (has good) command, and throws strikes. Coshow threw very well (in spring training), and has a great arm."
"They are all learning, and are pretty young," Mitchell said. "Enns pitched really well. Lail, who pitched here last year. What a great kid. I think the character of our team is huge, and it starts with the pitching, and goes right down to the position players."