Baseball | 3/1/2024 6:57:00 PM
By Paul Suellentrop
Wichita State coach
Brian Green watched
Caden Favors closely in the late innings, looking for any sign of faltering form, fatigue, or exertion trying to cover up fatigue.
"He was as clean in the ninth as he was in the third," Green said.
Clean, efficient and in control describes Favors all game and all season as he upgrades from utility pitcher to No. 1 starter. On Friday, he struck out a career-high 10 and recorded his first complete game in an 8-0 win over Utah Tech at Eck Stadium in the home opener.
"He's gotten better week after week after week," catcher
Mauricio Millan said. "It was one of those days where everything is working. He was super-sharp."
Favors, a senior lefty from Midwest City, Okla., limited the Trailblazers (1-9) to five hits and one walk in his 114-pitch effort. One runner reached scoring position. Favors stranded him at third in the second inning. He faced a three-ball count three times, two of which ended in outs. He threw first-pitch strikes to 20 of the 33 hitters faced.
That effort deserves a complete game as a reward and Favors gave coaches no reason to take him out.
"I didn't really have to talk them into it," he said. "When I came off the field in the seventh, I told them 'This is my game.' I felt good and I wanted to keep going and start us off on a good tone."
In his previous two seasons, Favors started nine games with five innings his longest outing. To make the transition to weekend starter, he needed to add to his variety of pitches, especially to handle right-handers, and improve his control. In the fall, he raised his arm slot and worked on a changeup with pitching coach
Anthony Claggett.
"The cutter is his pitch, but having a change, and then having the two- and the four-seam really expanded his pitch scheme," Green said. "The slot got a little higher and he got a little less left-on-left mentality."
The changeup is often the hardest pitch to master and Favors drilled on that skill all fall.
"It really helps get them off my fastball," Favors said. "(Claggett) helped me with the grip and let me get comfortable. It's working out so far."
In 2023, Favors struck out 37 and walked 15 in 21 appearances. In three starts this season, he has 25 strikeouts and four walks. He credits Claggett's scouting reports with building a plan to attack hitters.
"It's just trusting my stuff," he said. "It's having confidence. Knowing that preparation is going to get you there. As long you as compete – a bad off-speed pitch can get out an out."
The Shockers (5-3) backed Favors with nine hits and walked five times. Freshman
Camden Johnson went 3 for 5. Designated hitter
Jaden Gustafson drove in three runs and scored twice.
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
