A Pitcher on the Rise
Sumedh Shingala, a junior at Piscataway High School, has been selected as the MyCentralJersey Readers Choice Baseball Player of the Week, a testament to his standout performances this season.
His recent outing featured a five‑inning no‑hitter that yielded 12 strikeouts and just four walks, marking his second such achievement in the campaign. Across 32 ⅔ innings he has recorded 66 strikeouts while maintaining a 3.86 ERA, underscoring his ability to dominate hitters.
What sets Shingala apart is not only the raw velocity of his fastball — now cruising in the low 80s after starting the year in the low 70s — but also the breadth of his repertoire. He mixes a sharp changeup, a biting curveball and even a rare knuckleball, using refined sequencing to keep batters off balance.
Coach Rob Stoddard has been instrumental in that development, focusing on pitch selection, command and first‑pitch strikes. “His confidence and maturity have grown dramatically,” Stoddard notes, highlighting the pitcher’s improved command and poise on the mound.
The accolade reflects a broader trend of growth for the team, as Shingala’s emergence adds depth to a roster that is already competitive. Fans and teammates alike are watching closely as the junior looks to build on this momentum heading into the latter part of the season.