SignOnSanDiego.com · Aug 16, 2016
Ex-Navy pitcher lives baseball dream
Navy grad Luke Gillingham was 1-0 with a save and a 2.79 ERA for Bluefield, which plays its games in Virginia and West Virginia.It was a summer job, but one Luke Gillingham wanted to do well.
One of the most-decorated pitchers in the history of the Naval Academy, Gillingham was drafted in the 37th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in June.
Knowing duty would call, the left-hander signed quickly and appeared in four games for Short Season-A Bluefield of the Appalachian League.
The Coronado High alum was 1-0 with a save and a 2.79 ERA. In 92/3 innings, he allowed eight hits, walked three and struck out 11.
But he left the team in late July to fulfill his military obligation.