CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Charlottesville Tom Sox pitcher Bobby Olsen has been named the Valley Baseball League’s South Division Pitcher of the Week, the league announced Tuesday (July 9).
Olsen had a dominant week on the mound for the Tom Sox, tossing nine scoreless innings in a pair of road appearances. Olsen allowed just five hits across the nine innings, striking out nine and earning his third win of the season. He began the stretch with a five-inning relief performance in Harrisonburg, becoming only the second ‘Sox pitcher to throw five innings in an appearance this season, and added a season-high six strikeouts as the Tom Sox defeated the Turks 9-7. He then made his first start of the season in Staunton on Sunday, tossing four scoreless frames and striking out three. Over the course of the two appearances, Olsen lowered his season ERA to 1.64 – the second lowest on the team among pitchers with double-digit innings.
Olsen, who recently committed to Villanova University following a senior year at Nebraska, is in his second season with the Tom Sox. He previously tossed 22.1 innings across seven appearances (six starts) during the 2022 championship season, working to a 3.63 ERA and 3-0 record. On the season for Nebraska, he tossed 8.1 innings with nine strikeouts, allowing ten runs.
Olsen is the second ‘Sox pitcher, and third player, to garner a league honor this season. He joins Cade Belyeu, who was named the first South Player of the Week this season, and Ethan Sutton, who was named Pitcher of the Week on June 17.
The Tom Sox return to action tonight (July 9) for Educator Appreciation Night against the Covington Lumberjacks. First pitch at Charlottesville High School is set for 7 p.m., and all teachers, staff, and administrators will receive free admission.
ABOUT THE CHARLOTTESVILLE TOM SOX
The Charlottesville Tom Sox, a non-profit member of the Valley Baseball League collegiate summer league, have been one of the most successful collegiate baseball teams since their founding in 2014. The Tom Sox have won three Valley Baseball League championships in eight seasons, tied for the most in the league over that span, and have appeared in all but one championship series since 2017, the most in the league. The ‘Sox reached the pinnacle of summer baseball in 2017 when they were named the No. 1 summer team in the nation by Perfect Game in just their third year on the field.
Additionally, the Tom Sox have an extensive record of success at the higher level. Five Tom Sox players have appeared on Major League rosters, including 2023 fourth overall pick Wyatt Langford and Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. Numerous Tom Sox interns have gone on to work in professional sports for teams such as the Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins, New York Jets, and companies including ESPN and the MLB Network.
