Chatham-Kent Barnstormers pitcher Mizuki Akatsuka. (Photo via the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers / Facebook)Chatham-Kent Barnstormers pitcher Mizuki Akatsuka. (Photo via the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers / Facebook)
Chatham

Barnstormers' switch pitcher earns league-wide recognition

A Chatham-Kent Barnstormers pitcher is taking home the top weekly honour for his position in the Intercounty Baseball League.

Mizuki Akatsuka was named the IBL's Pitcher of the Week for May 19-25 after a dominant performance in a 2-1 win for the Barnstormers against the Brantford Red Sox over the weekend.

The pitcher affectionately referred to as "two-hands" around the Barnstormer's clubhouse because of his ability to throw both right-handed and left-handed threw seven strong innings against the Red Sox, allowing just one earned run and one walk along with seven hits.

Akatsuka threw 91 pitches over his seven innings of work, including 60 strikes.

He is just the second Barnstormers' pitcher to be named the Pitcher of the Week -- Aden Ryan earned the honour last season.

The Barnstormers' (2-2) next game is Thursday on the road against the Barrie Baycats.

The Barnstormers will return home for a game against Welland at Fergie Jenkins Field in Chatham on Saturday.

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