By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics
 
When Zach Tsakounis took the mound at Charleston on March 13, it was his first start in 22 months. He had missed all but two innings of the shortened 2020 season with an arm injury, and he didn't pitch in the first series of '21.
 
It wasn't smooth right out of the gate, but the follow-up to Tsakounis' CAA All-Rookie season in '19 has been strong.
 
Entering William & Mary's three-game set at James Madison this weekend, he leads all Tribe pitchers who have worked at least four innings with an ERA of 3.88. He's been especially tough in his last three outings with only four earned runs in 19.2 innings.
 
Tsakounis (the T is silent) gives much of the credit to Tribe head coach Brian Murphy, who has been doubling as pitching coach since the departure of Brian Casey in January.
 
"Coach Murphy has been saying when we go out there, we should think about closing that inning," Tsakounis said. "Like, be the third-inning closer or the fourth-inning closer — make sure you do your job that inning.
 
"I was always thinking I needed to get to the sixth inning or the seventh inning. I looked ahead, and that's when I missed spots and gave up runs. Focusing on each inning, to close this inning out, has really helped me focus on the moment."
 
Tsakounis' best performance came in a 1-0 complete-game win over James Madison on April 25. He allowed five hits and no walks.
 
One of his biggest strengths is efficiency. In his last three starts, Tsakounis averaged 14.6 pitches per inning.
 
"Since day one on campus, Zach has done a lot of things we look for and value in pitchers," Murphy said. "He throws a ton of strikes. He has a couple different pitches he can use interchangeably and manages the running game well. He's had very few outings when he hasn't done that stuff.
 
"He gives us a chance to win, and the team loves playing behind him. He's been the same guy since literally the day he arrived on campus."
 
A junior lefty from Arlington, Tsakounis went 4-2 with a 3.60 ERA as a freshman. In his second appearance, a 9-3 win at Virginia, he gave up one run in 6.1 innings out of the pen. In two starts against eventual CAA champion UNCW, he allowed one run in 11.1 innings
 
But coming into the 2020 season, Tsakounis was battling arm fatigue. After missing the first three weeks, he made his first appearance on March 7 against Merrimack with two scoreless innings in relief.
 
A week later, COVID-19 ended the season. Like his teammates and all spring athletes, Tsakounis can get that season of eligibility back.
 
Tsakounis came into this season recovering from a broken right (non-throwing) hand he sustained over the winter. He was still able to pitch; he just couldn't wear a glove. In live sessions, the L-screen became his bodyguard.
 
Tsakounis' first start was a 7-1 loss at Charleston. A week later, he threw seven strong innings in a win over UNCW.
 
"There have been some rocky outings," Tsakounis said. "I know Elon was pretty rough, and VCU wasn't too hot. But I think the last few outings, I've been more consistent."
 
It's no government secret that Tsakounis' money pitch in his changeup. That's been known to get him out jams.
 
"You almost want them to put that in play," Murphy said. "It's been really hard for guys do much against that when he's throwing it well."
 
Tsakounis throws consistently in the mid-80s. But since coming to college, he's learned that velocity solely for velocity's sake can lead to trouble.
 
"In high school, I tried to throw it as hard as I could to blow it by people," he said. "But once I got to college, if I'm throwing as hard as I can and I leave it right down the middle, they're going to hit a home run.
 
"Most of the time, I'm not throwing at max effort. I'm trying to hit corners."
 
And doing it well.
 
CAA goes into final weekend of the regular season

To limit travel and exposure to COVID-19, the CAA's baseball standings have been split into two divisions this season. The North has four teams; the South, which includes William & Mary, has five.
 
As a result, the six-team tournament will be different from years past. The top team in each division (Northeastern has run away with the North; Charleston has a one-game lead in the South) will automatically qualify. The second-place team in each division also will be in the field.
 
After that, five teams will be competing for two at-large spots that will be selected by conference administrators. They will consider CAA records, non-conference results, the RPI, and common opponents.
 
What does all this mean for William & Mary? Going strictly by winning percentage in conference games, the Tribe (.429, 9-12) is fourth in the South and sixth overall going into this weekend's three-game set at James Madison.
 
But there's a significant difference in what W&M's final conference finish could be — .500 (12-12) at best, .375 (9-15) at worst.
 
"Obviously, two wins would really help our cause," Murphy said. "Our goal is to go up there and try to win the series. I hate scoreboard watching, and all we can control is the three games we have left."