The final edition of the Curtain Call series this week contains two senior pitchers. One who spent two seasons on the mound for the Cougars, and another who spent five years here in Azusa. This is the final blog in remembrance of the senior Cougars whose seasons and careers were cut short due to COVID-19. Many seniors will be returning for their extra year, but some unfortunately must move on.
Jon Keane, Pitcher
Jon Keane, from Brookfield, Wis. (Calvin College), was a two-year member of the Cougar program. After redshirting during his first season, he appeared seven times from the bullpen in his final season. Keane tossed 8.2 innings while tallying 13 strikeouts ending with a 5.19 ERA and a 1-1 record. This includes a period in which he threw 3.2 straight scoreless innings across two outings while racking up six strikeouts during that stretch. He was surely going to be a big part of the bullpen for the Cougars throughout the season and showed signs of dominance. Keane was a part of the PacWest Conference regular season championship team in 2019. He is set to complete his degree in Kinesiology this spring.
Coach Paul Svagdis on Keane: “Although we were not able to experience a full season with Jon, he became an instant favorite amongst our coaching staff and players this past year. I had no doubt that Jon was going to be an integral part of pitching the Cougs to our 4th Pacwest Championship this spring. Jon is a terrific Christian young man that led our team both on and off the field. I truly admire Jon’s ability to bring a fierce and competitive spirit everytime he stepped on the hill.”
Spiro Valasakos, Pitcher
Spiro Valasakos, from Peoria, Ariz. (Liberty HS), was a five-year member of the Cougar program. After redshirting in his first season and not appearing in his second season, Valasakos pitched 10 times as a redshirt sophomore in 2018. He was the lone Cougar pitcher with a WHIP below one (0.92) that year tossing 20.2 innings while recording a 2.61 ERA. Perhaps his career highlight came when he pitched 5.2 scoreless innings against Cal Baptist in the 2018 West Regional first round allowing the Cougars to send the game to extra innings.
In 2019, Valasakos appeared 18 more times in relief for the Cougars recording 19 strikeouts in 21.1 innings. Over a six-game period, Valasakos tossed eight straight scoreless innings while only allowing five hits and striking out seven.
As a redshirt senior, was unanimously named as one of the team’s captains. His impact on the team grew with each year as he became a clubhouse favorite between players and coaches. In his final season, he appeared three times recording 4.2 innings and a 1.93 ERA. Valasakos was a part of three consecutive PacWest regular season championships from 2017-19. He will be one of the biggest losses for this Cougars team because of his leadership and what he meant to each of his teammates.
In the classroom, Valasakos earned All-Academic PacWest honors in 2018 and 2019. He is completing his degree in Business Finance this spring.
Coach Paul Svagdis on Valasakos: “I cannot be more proud of a Cougar baseball player than I am of Spiro. Being unanimously selected as a Cougar captain for the 2020 season is a tremendous accomplishment and a great testament to his ability to lead. One of my fondest memories of Spiro’s career at APU has to be game one of the 2018 NCAA DII West Regional in which Spiro came into a game vs. our rival Cal Baptist down two runs in the 6th inning and proceeded to go toe-to-toe with one of the best pitchers in the region for five and two-thirds not giving up a run or hit to the Lancers, taking the Cougs into the 12th inning tied 4-4. He was a consummate leader and teammate. He put his teammates, coaches, and community first and I am convinced he has greatness ahead of him.”
The Beat @APU 