Nate Dohm to make return to mound with Tuesday start against North Alabama
A massive piece to Mississippi State’s pitching plans could be reentering the fold just in time for a postseason run this year.
State announced on Monday afternoon that junior RHP Nate Dohm will be starting Tuesday night’s game against North Alabama. Dohm has thrown just eight pitches in SEC play and hasn’t thrown since April 7.
The Indiana native was State’s Friday night starter for the non-conference portion of the schedule and was fairly dominant in his four starts. After throwing 4.0 innings on opening day against Air Force and surrendering just one earned run, his next three starts all eclipsed 6.0 innings and he struck out 28 batters, walked just two and gave up three earned runs.
Dohm left the Evansville game in the seventh inning with a little arm discomfort and ended a night where he had struck out 10 batters, walked one and given up two runs. He didn’t pitch again until the Sunday game of the Georgia series and he lasted just eight pitches before coming out of the ball game. He recorded just one out.
Last season, Dohm was one of the more reliable pitchers on a staff that was last in the SEC. He finished the year 6-4 in 17 appearances with a 4.07 ERA and two saves. He struck out 49 batters and walked 19 in 41.0 innings.
He was off to a great start this year with a 3-0 record in five starts and his ERA is 1.48. In 24.1 frames, Dohm has surrendered just four runs and four walks while striking out 32 batters.
If healthy, Dohm’s return is significant for State as it gets prepared for the postseason. The Bulldogs have been short-staffed on reliable pitchers outside of starters Khal Stephen and Jurrangelo Cijtnje and bullpen arms Tyler Davis and Tyson Hardin. Brooks Auger has had some strong moments for State as well.
Dohm’s return gives State a live arm that could be utilized either in the bullpen or as a starter and he is relatively fresh with just five games under his belt this year. The No. 16 Bulldogs (33-18, 15-12 SEC) are fighting for a host spot in the NCAA Regionals with one week to play.
State takes on North Alabama on Tuesday at 6 p.m. with a weekend series at home against Missouri beginning on Thursday night at 6.
