In The Dugout – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 20, 2002
E.J. Laratta is one of just four seniors on the Ohio State roster and one of the few players remaining from the 1999 season in which the Buckeyes came within one game of advancing to the College World Series.
“It made me see what this program could do with hard work, because that ball club worked very hard,” Laratta said of the run in 1999. “I was told by a lot of different college teams (when I was being recruited) that I wasn’t going to be able to win at the college level and (that run) proved to me that I could win right away as a freshman.”
Ironic, considering that Laratta has now spent three seasons as the reliable ace on the Ohio State pitching staff, racking up 32 wins in four years as a Buckeye. Laratta was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Big Ten in his first season and has been named First or Second Team All-Big Ten each season at Ohio State.
Ever since his outstanding freshman year in which he finished with a record of 10-3, Laratta has been a pitcher who always wanted the ball for the big game.
“As soon as I got here as a freshman, I told the older guys, ‘Every single time I’m on the mound, I just want everyone to be confident that I am going to win and want you guys to want me out there,'” Laratta said.
While Laratta has had more than his fair share of memorable experiences and success on the field, as his time at Ohio State comes to a close, The native of Englewood, Colo., cites his off-field experiences as what he will remember most.
“My best memory off the field is the friends that I’ve made from the baseball team,” Laratta said. “I’m going to walk away with 30 best friends for a lifetime and that’s the best thing that could have ever happened. I’ve had all the personal success I could ask for (but) ten years down the road when I’m not playing baseball anymore… I’m going to have (these) same people, wherever I am.” As Laratta grows nostalgic towards his time at Ohio State, he is confident that his last season as a Buckeye will be the team’s best ever.
“That ’99 season was unbelievable, the run that we had and how everybody, everyday, came out to play.” Laratta said. “And I think this team is going to get there because they’re just as good talent-wise. I have all the confidence in the world that when the season comes down to it, this year’s team is going to put it together.”
Laratta and the Buckeyes will get their chance to put it together over the next month, trying to take the 1999 team’s run one step further by reaching the College World Series.
