text:
Diaz's return from two-year layoff came with pain, tears
Brantley redshirted this past season at Bluefield but had already committed to play with Flash immediate following his surgery.
Until his debut in an 11-10 extra-inning win over Owensboro on June 4, Brantley had not pitched since his sophomore year of high school. He lasted just two-thirds of an inning against the Oilers as he gave up three hits and two runs.
"The first game I was so nervous because I hadn't played in so long. I didn't do so well but each game I've got better and better," he said.
In his only start, Brantley worked the first three innings of a 10-6 win over Muhlenberg County on June 7. His best performance so far came in his second appearance against Owensboro where he struck out five in the final 2 2/3 innings of a 16-4 win on June 15.
"Every time he goes in, he gets better and better. His curveball has come on. It's a very good pitch for him. Early on, he didn't want to throw it. He was just wanting to throw his fastball," Flash manager J.D. Arndt said.
Brantley has pitched 9 1/3 innings in five appearances so far with nine walks, nine strikeouts and a 5.79 earned run average.
For Brantley gaining confidence and being more comfortable on the mound is his goal for the summer as he prepares to begin his career as a college pitcher.
"I've got more comfortable on the mound. J.D. has put me in situations where the game is on the line," Brantley said. "He has helped me a lot with being comfortable and not being nervous. He tells me, 'be confident, hit your spots.' He's one of the biggest mentors so far in my life."
Being comfortable with his role on the team is a big plus for Brantley, pitching coach Brandon Mattingly said. "He's been willing to do whatever he needs to do to be part of the team whether that's take innings when we are way up or take pressure innings. He has an attitude that anyway that I can help anybody at any time I'm willing to do that. That's unique because a lot of guys in today's game are what can I do for myself," he said.
The coaches expect to see continued improvement from Brantley, which is the main point of summer baseball. "The more he goes out there, the more confidence he will show," Arndt said. "When he goes back to school, he will be a totally different pitcher than when he got here."
Flash ahead
Thursday: Owensboro at Henderson, 7 p.m.
Friday: Henderson at Owensboro, 7 p.m.
Saturday: Henderson at Hopkinsville, 7 p.m.
Sunday: Hopkinsville at Henderson, 7 p.m.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl