Estes Reminisces On Complete Game
North Augusta, SC - On August 14th, Joey Estes accomplished something only 10 other starting pitchers have done this year: Toss a complete game. The best part? His mom, dad, brother, grandparents and his best friends’ mom were in the building watching him pitch for the first time in his
North Augusta, SC - On August 14th, Joey Estes accomplished something only 10 other starting pitchers have done this year: Toss a complete game.
The best part? His mom, dad, brother, grandparents and his best friends’ mom were in the building watching him pitch for the first time in his professional career.
Joey’s mom threw out the first pitch that night.
“Her birthday was in a couple of days. It was really cool, I wanted her to throw the first pitch so we could share the mound that day,” Estes said.
The right-hander struck out 14 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers on the night. It was the first complete game by a GreenJacket in SRP Park history and the first complete game by a Jacket since Domenic Mazza did it 2017.
It was a dynamic crowd on a fireworks night and Estes heard them the whole way. Especially when Manager Michael Saunders went to visit Estes in the ninth inning but let him stay in the game.
“It was electric. After he walked back, I could feel the whole stadium. Even when he was walking out, I heard all the boos and the ‘No’s.’ I felt it all, I love the fans,” Estes said. “It’s a great experience. I’m really blessed.”
Estes allowed only two runs. It was a hanging slider to Wilber Sanchez in the third inning. He struggled with the slider early in the game, but eventually got the hang of it.
“At the beginning of the game I was struggling on command with my slider,” Estes said. “I made some adjustments. I was pulling everything. I was yanking everything. If I wasn’t yanking it, I was babying it. I had to find the in-between and work on having the feel for my slider. Once I had the feel, I was able to throw my fastball, slider and changeup at anytime and anywhere I wanted in the count.”
The result was a dominant performance and his second professional win. In 10 starts at SRP Park this season, Estes owns an ERA of 0.81.
His mom is also undefeated at SRP Park.
“It was by far the craziest moment of my baseball career,” Estes said. “I remember it, but I kind of blacked out. It was a great moment for me and my family. First person I got to see after the game was my mom. It was a surreal moment for me.”