In The Dugout – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 19, 2002
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%^$Scott Lewis is another freshman for the Buckeyes who is making immediate contributions on the baseball diamond and his quick start has the notice of the coaching staff.%^$
%^$Lewis started the team’s fourth game this season, a 6-6 tie against Mississippi State that was called following the eighth inning so the Buckeyes could catch their flight back to Columbus. The 6-foot Lewis pitched remarkably as Ohio State cruised out to an early 6-1 lead in the hostile confines of Polk-Dement Stadium. But after surrendering back-to-back home runs to start the seventh inning, Lewis was pulled with the Buckeyes leading 6-3. Lewis, who hails from Washington Court House, Ohio, pitched six innings giving up three runs, though only the two home runs were earned, off seven hits.%^$
%^$His first win as a Buckeye came in the team’s next game, a 3-0 win over North Florida, which was then ranked as the No. 4 team in Division II. He did not give up a run off six hits in 6 1/3 innings. He faced 25 batters and struck out five while throwing 105 pitches, 66 of which were called for strikes.%^$
%^$Through his first two games, he had a 1.46 ERA in a team high 12 1/3 innings.%^$
%^$”Scott has been pitching very well for us early,” said coach Bob Todd. “But that is something that we kind of expected. We feel we have some talented young freshmen that are going to get opportunities in the spring. Scott is one of those people that has gotten a couple of starts and he’s pitched very well in those outings. Let’s just hope he stays consistent and continues.”%^$
%^$Lewis found a little trouble in his start last Sunday at New Mexico, but he pitched an incredible game in the first five innings. He did not allow a run in those opening five innings despite two Lobos advancing to third in the first two innings. He sat New Mexico batters down in order in the third and fifth innings and threw three strikeouts to get out of the fourth inning despite allowing the third hit of the game. That was before the Lobos went on to plate eight runs in the sixth inning. Lewis was charged with only five earned runs on a total of nine hits. His ERA is now 3.50.%^$
%^$But the coaching staff believes the freshman will be a valuable part of this year’s campaign because of his experience in pitching in big games in high school.%^$
%^$Lewis pitched in the state championships his junior year and has pitched in the Connie Mack World Series with his summer team, the Midland Redskins.%^$
%^$”Scott is one of our more mature freshmen because of his experience in pitching in big games before he got here,” said pitching coach Pat Bangston. “He has some valuable experience of pitching in a very good summer program that advanced far in the national tournament.”%^$
%^$After an all-state high school career he was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 33rd round of the Major League Baseball draft.%^$
