BRIDGEPORT – Carson Sauvageot has joined two other players in pitching no-hitter games for Bridgeport High School’s baseball team.
On April 29 Sauvageot, a freshman, struck out one batter after another at Paden City.
This follows two back-to-back wins when junior Jaki Threet pitched a no-hitter April 23 against Paden City and freshman Connor Nelson pitched a no-hitter April 24 against Steubenville Catholic Central.
Baseballs signed by Sauvageot, Threet and Nelson are on display in the high school trophy case.
Sauvageot said he had not been at his best during prior games, but his hard work has paid off.
“Going into it, I felt good. My arm was feeling good,” he said. Sauvageot would keep up his excellent performance as the game progressed. “Last inning I decided to bear down and complete it.”
Sauvageot ended the game with 11 strikeouts.
“It boosted my confidence a lot, because I don’t know that many people who get no-hitters besides my two friends.”
Sauvageot pitches an average of about 78 miles per hour, topping out at 80 mph. He trains hard, with a focus on lifting weights to build up pitching strength.
He took to the sport at a young age.
“I’ve been pitching my whole life,” he said. “My older brother always played. I love the game.”
Sauvageot is part of the travel baseball team Ohio Valley Jokers. His father, Phil Sauvageot, is the coach.
Sauvageot thanks his travel ball coach Justin Ferrell and former Bridgeport coach Steve Wojcik.
“They’ve really set the standards for me,” he said. “How to use not only skill but also intelligence on the mound.”
Sauvageot said he keeps an aggressive mindset when playing.
“I try to keep a level head and try to attack, not just let them hit me, just attack the zone and try to hit spots.”
He has ambitions for the team going forward.
“I’m glad that my team is succeeding,” he said. “I hope we win out the rest of the season and get Shadyside again in sectional. That’s what I really look forward to, because Shadyside’s beat us twice, but I believe our team has evolved. I believe our team could really beat them.”
He said faith is another big part of his success.
“I just want to thank God for blessing me with this baseball talent and the success that I’ve had.”
As a freshman just starting his high school baseball career, he has advice for up-and-coming players.
“Be prepared, because it was a jump for me. I was in middle school and it was particularly easy, but now I’m facing seniors with full beards and are basically grown men, so it’s a big jump from middle school to high school.”
Head Baseball Coach Bill Timko said this is shaping up as a season to be remembered.
“Three no-hitters in a season, it has to be the first time ever,” he said. “It’s hard to do one, let alone three in one season with three different pitchers.”
The team has won seven games in a row and is looking to the playoffs.
“We’re working hard. The kids are working every day, and our hitting coach is doing a fantastic job,” Timko said.
Principal Jack Fisher anticipates more excellence from the team.
“Just having three no-hitters in a season is very impressive and not common at all, as well as two of them being freshmen is great, and Jaki and the other two are all coming back next year. Quite an incredible feat.”
