SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Summer and baseball have always seemed to fit together perfectly. For fans of the game, summer is a time to enjoy the sights, sounds and atmosphere of America's pastime. For college baseball players, it is a time for development. In summer 2015, 15 Santa Clara baseball players are competing for 12 different teams from the Bay Area to New England. The "All Summer Long" series, in its fifth season, chronicles these Broncos as they play in various summer leagues nationwide.
Josh Inouye made 22 appearances for Bronco baseball as a true freshman during the 2015 season. The Pearl City, Hawai'i native posted a 2-1 record with 18 strikeouts in 17 innings for Santa Clara. Inouye got into the mix on opening weekend, making two appearances against defending national champion and unanimous preseason No. 1 Vanderbilt, during which he retired all four Commodores he faced.
In summer 2015, Inouye pitched for the Menlo Park Legends in nearby Menlo Park, Calif., and finished the season with a 1-0 record in 10 appearances. The rising sophomore finished second on the Legends with a 2.12 ERA over 17 innings during the summer. He also played alongside Santa Clara backstop and fellow rising sophomore Braden Frankfort. SantaClaraBroncos.com caught up with Inouye to discuss his first season of summer collegiate baseball.
Josh Inouye – Menlo Park Legends – Menlo Park, Calif.
SantaClaraBroncos.com (SCB): You didn't allow an earned run in seven of your first eight outings this summer. What has been your key to success?
Josh Inouye (JI): I've just been sticking to what my coaches taught me. I've been working a lot on mixing in more fastballs to my normal changeup and curveball routine.
SCB: What has this season of summer ball done to help improve you as a player?
JI: The coaches on my team had a lot to offer and facing new hitters also improved my knowledge of how to apply my pitches.
SCB: How have you enjoyed playing alongside Santa Clara teammate Braden Frankfort?
JI: I really enjoyed having Braden with me as he was one of my closest friends and teammates! We were well-bonded since we had the opportunity to be roommates.
SCB: With a busier schedule than the collegiate season — playing no less than five games a week — what physical and mental adjustments do you make to adjust to more frequent games?
JI: I had to find a time and way to work in my running and lifting to make sure I stay in shape. Mentally, it has been exhausting with more games, but it has been a good challenge.
SCB: Tell us about your favorite game of the summer.
JI: More recently, throwing three innings and giving up no hits or runs against the Santa Barbara Foresters, which is a highly-recognized summer collegiate team.
All Summer Long 2015
Josh Inouye
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