Illinois recruit Aidan Flinn strikes out 12 in five innings for Marist. And those MLB scouts? ‘It motivates you.'
After committing to Illinois and blossoming into a pro prospect, Marist's Aidan Flinn is adjusting to life in the spotlight.
Several scouts lined up behind home plate Monday with their radar guns drawn to watch the senior left-hander pitch. That doesn't bother Flinn.
'It's still kind of new, but I'm starting to get used to it,' he said. 'I do enjoy it. I like kind of having something to pitch for. It motivates you.
'I see it as another chance to prove myself to more people and let them see what I have.'
Flinn sure showed them a lot. He threw five no-hit innings, striking out 12, as the RedHawks rolled to a 10-0 six-inning win over Homewood-Flossmoor in a Do It Stevie's Way Tournament pool-play game at St. Xavier in Chicago.
Brendan Doran went 3-for-4 with a triple and three runs to lead the offense for Marist (2-1). Ryan Lawlor finished with a double, two RBIs and three runs, while Charlie Dunneback contributed a double, a walk, an RBI and a run.
Eastern Michigan recruit Demir Heidelberg had the lone hit for H-F (3-1). Navy commit Henry Humes struck out seven over four innings, allowing five earned runs.
Flinn, meanwhile, issued just one walk and hit one batter. At one point, he struck eight straight.
Senior catcher Joey Gumuls, a Loras recruit, loves being along for the ride when Flinn gets on that kind of a roll.
'He's very accurate,' Gumuls said. 'It's easy to catch him. Once we're in a groove, it's really fun to just go out there and compete.'
Flinn showed up to the park on a cold day and saw strong winds howling out. Challenge accepted.
'I just wanted to keep the ball low and make them hit it on the ground,' he said. 'Luckily, they didn't hit the ball too much.'
As far as the extra eyeballs on him are concerned, Flinn believes they help him lock in, which will make him even better later in the season.
'Sometimes it can be tough to go out there and throw in a game that's not as important, maybe early in the season,' he said. 'But when you have that attention on you every game, you know you're going to be ready to go when you get to the really important games and the pressure's on.
'So, that's nice.'
Flinn got plenty of help from his offense. Doran sparked the lineup from the leadoff spot, singling and scoring on Lawlor's double in the first inning. Doran followed with an RBI triple in the second inning, then singled and scored in the fourth.
'I like being the leadoff hitter,' Doran said. 'I know I can get on base and go steal a base and I have guys behind me that I know can hit me in.'
Doran said having Flinn on the mound takes all the pressure off the RedHawks' hitters.
Speaking of pressure, Marist coach Kevin Sefcik sees Flinn thriving under the bright lights.
'I think he loves it,' Sefcik said. 'He has no problems with it. He's embracing it. He knows he can go to Illinois or he has a chance for some other options
'I just love that he's doing well out there in front of those guys and maybe gives himself a chance.'
Flinn knows he may have some big decisions to make in the next few months. But he's intent on staying true to himself through all the hoopla and MLB draft talk.
'It's exciting,' he said. 'Nothing's going to change here. I'm just going to keep playing baseball and living my life, and whatever happens in the future happens. I'm thankful for everything.'
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