In The Dugout – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 15, 2003
Matriculating from high school to college can create stress for a student academically. For student-athletes at Ohio State, the bar is raised to a higher level with high expectations on the field in addition to the rigors of schoolwork.
The transition from Division II high school baseball to collegiate Big Ten play demands a quick athletic turnaround for a young Buckeye. For sophomore pitcher Mike Madsen out of Chesterland, Ohio, the transition has not only strengthened his talent on the mound, but it has motivated him to work hard towards improvement.
“Baseball has motivated me to do well in school,” Madsen said. “In college there are demands that a student-athlete must meet. Knowing that I must perform well academically and on the mound motivates me to work hard.”
Time management is one area that student-athletes are forced to ace. During the season, Madsen’s weekend is spent at the stadium in the midst of a four-game home stand or traveling for a four-game road trip. How does Madsen manage his studies between the 2003 baseball schedule? The sociology major credits his teammates and his tough course load at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin High School.
“Learning to budget my time has been tough, but I had some guidance from the older guys,” Madsen said. “I brought my books along and I seemed to adjust pretty well. I came from a demanding high school. As long as I get my work done on my off days then I am free for the weekend.”
Madsen throws a fastball in the low 90s, though he admits his weaknesses last season as a freshman were his choice of pitches and continuously throwing the “heater.” During his freshman campaign Madsen pitched 11 games, going 0-1 on the year with two saves in 15 2/3 innings pitched. Madsen did not allow a run in nine innings and did not allow a hit in six of those innings.
“I was going in there and throwing fastballs like I did in high school,” Madsen said. “I realized that it takes more than one pitch to get by.”
Between starting a game or coming on in relief, the right-hander prefers to get the start. Madsen said starting a game allows him to work on his pitches as well as his location and velocity. Coming in as a reliever only allows a pitcher a few innings of work.
“When you come in as a reliever it is harder to get loose,” Madsen explained. “As a starter you get that 30 minutes before the game and you see more batters through the lineup.”
Madsen has made four starts in 15 appearances this season and has a 5-1 record with a 3.79 ERA. He has 36 strikeouts with 10 walks in 38 innings of work. He won his first collegiate start this year against Wooster April 16. He pitched the first four innings in a shortened midweek start and allowed just two hits against the Fighting Scots.
Ever since his first game at Ohio State, Madsen knew Ohio State is where he wanted to be. The atmosphere on and off the field attracted him to the Buckeye program. The opportunity to play a bigger role in the Buckeye rotation is what fuels him.
