Baseball Player Andrew Kruep is the Joe Eberle Weichert Realtors Pioneer Athlete of the Week

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ — When he took the mound last Friday against Cedar Grove, Andrew Kruep brought new dimensions to the concept of efficiency.The junior right-hander pitched an eight-inning two-hitter and finally got the run support he needed after the teams were tied, 0-0, after seven innings. New Providence scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning on Alex Chomiak's bases-loaded triple and Kruep went out and finished the job in the bottom of the inning for a 3-0 win.In those eight innings, Kruep threw a total of just 73 pitches, an average of 9.1 pitches per inning. That's getting your defense on and off the field quickly."I have never seen that before," New Providence head coach Chris Brodeur said. "He worked very fast, and was extremely efficient. He was 54/73 for strikes to pitches. That is a telling statistic."Kruep spent the whole game inducing weak contact from the Cedar Grove batters. He struck out just one batter, but he didn't walk anyone."Andrew is someone who can be counted on to put the needs of the team before himself," Brodeur said. "He models what it means to be a true Pioneer for the younger student athletes."Kruep has a 1.11 earned-run average this season. He allowed only one earned run in four innings against Gov. Livingston on opening day. Against Union Catholic, he pitched three innings and allowed two hits and no runs. Oddly enough, he threw more pitches in a start against Brearley in which he only went four innings (75 pitches), than he did in his eight-inning gem against Cedar Grove.When he doesn't pitch, Kruep plays the infield.Kruep is the Joe Eberle Weichert Realtors Pioneer Athlete of the Week.He answered these questions from TAPinto New Providence.Q: Have you seen your game change since last year? A: I have not seen my game change much last year, but one thing I have started to focus on is worrying less about previous mistakes, especially at the plate. I have found that focusing on the present produces results at the plate, and on the mound it has let me get outs quicker.Q: How would you describe your pitching repertoire?A: My pitching repertoire is normal with the exception that I will include a knuckleball in my arsenal. I throw a normal four-seam and two-seam fastball as well as a curveball and changeup. But, my knuckle is a pitch that can allow me to change up what a hitter is thinking and I can be a more effective pitcher.Q: Do you prefer pitching to hitting?A: I prefer pitching because I feel like I am always in control of the game and the speed in which it is played.Q: What has been the best advice you have received from a coach?A: Stay present in the moment - Coach BrodeurQ: What has been your most memorable game to date?A: My most memorable game to date was when I got my first varsity hit last year during the annual 'Strike Out Cancer' game against Scotch Plains.Q: Pitching an 8-inning complete game with only 73 pitches is almost unheard of. What were you doing in order to economize your pitches so much vs. Cedar Grove?A: I was just focusing on throwing in lots of off-speed and mixing in fastballs consistently in order to keep hitters off balance. As a result, I was able to get weak contact early in counts and get outs quickly while throwing few pitches.Q: What do you like most about New Providence High School?A: I enjoy the positive attitude of everyone and the ability to always be involved.Q: Do you have a favorite subject? A: U.S. HistoryQ: Who is your favorite athlete?A: Ozzie Smith