Hunter
Dawson

Dawson turned in a strong outing for Carlsbad, racking up 6 strikeouts over 5+ innings while continuing to showcase the traits that make him a valuable get for CSUN. The 6-2 righty worked primarily off a FB that sat 88-90 mph and touched 91, showing consistent late life that made it tough to square up. He wasn’t afraid to challenge hitters in the zone and generated a high rate of in-zone whiffs with the pitch. The heater played especially well up in the zone, where it showed some ride and got under barrels. His confidence in the FB allowed him to attack early in counts and get ahead, setting up his secondary offerings. The CH at 77 mph served as his most effective off-speed pitch on the day, flashing late fading action and tunnel off the FB. It gave him a true weapon against LHH and helped neutralize timing. He also spun a 71–73 mph CB that worked as a third-look pitch, adding a change of pace and disrupting rhythm, especially when thrown in early counts. Dawson’s tempo on the mound is deliberate, beginning with a slower start before ramping up his pace through the delivery. His actions down the mound are fluid and controlled, and the arm works clean with looseness out front. He repeats his mechanics well, and there’s noticeable body control through his finish. Pitch-to-pitch composure and sequencing were both strong throughout this outing, and he showed an ability to execute with intent in high-leverage moments. Now 3-1 on the year with a 3.65 ERA across 23 innings, Dawson has proven to be a reliable arm for Carlsbad. With a solid three-pitch mix, clean mechanics, and strike-throwing ability, he’s well on track to make an early impact at the college level.