In his final start on the mound for the Papermakers, Taylor Williams pitched seven innings at Safeco Field.
The 2010 Camas High School graduate remembers that moment like it was yesterday, but said it doesn’t even compare to the one he had eight days ago. On that day, the 19-year-old was popping the glove at Fenway Park.
“Having the opportunity to pitch at Fenway, which is known as the ‘Cathedral of Stadiums,’ is something you dream about,” Williams said. “You can’t help but think about the history that surrounds that ballpark, and all of the greats who have played there. To be on the same field and in the same spot as those guys is something nobody can take away from you.”
Williams tossed a perfect 1-2-3 fourth inning for the New England Collegiate Baseball All-Stars, who defeated Team USA 3-2 June 27. He induced a pop out and two ground outs. He also retired Arizona State University’s Deven Marrero and Texas Christian University’s Josh Elander, who were both selections in the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
“I wanted to throw the best pitch I could every time, shut them down and give our team the best opportunity to win,” Williams said. “Team USA has some of the best college players in the nation. We were the underdogs, so to win was a pretty big deal, and to be a part of it was even bigger.”