In the Dugout with Cory Luebke – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 9, 2006
It is stated in myth that a full moon can convert the most docile person into a relentless werewolf. The game of baseball yields a transformation upon Cory Luebke that has an uncanny resemblance to this ancient legend-minus the growth of hair and fangs. This sophomore pitcher from Maria Stein, Ohio, takes his job among the Buckeyes’ starting rotation seriously. Standing high atop the pitchers’ mound, he has a fierce stare that echoes in his eyes as he plans his attack with every intention to strike out his opponent at the plate. His determination is shown through the results of his 2005 freshman debut, when he finished 4-2 with a 3.55 ERA that ranked him seventh in the Big Ten. This year, it is no myth that Luebke is back with a vengeance-proving that he is more relentless than ever under the pure influence of baseball.
You had an amazing freshman year at the mound, pitching in 16 games with 12 starts. What was that experience like for you?
“It was good to get my feet wet. I came in and had an opportunity to throw and I just went with it. My best support was to listen to the older guys, like Mike Madsen (2002-05). They really helped me out. They showed me the ropes and helped me along. Now, I know what to expect. This year, I’m one of the guys the team looks up to. I’ve been more consistent and I’ve learned a lot from last year.”
Coming into this year with some experience under your belt, what mentality have you developed as a starting pitcher?
“When I’m pitching, I’m in a different frame of mind. Who I am on the field is different then off the field. I have a checklist in my head that I go through to straighten things out if needed. My biggest challenge at the mound is just to stay calm. I’ll only relax once the game is over, and of course it helps if we win.”
Do your teammates notice your determination?
“The guys give me a hard time when I’m due to pitch because I’m not the normal jokester I usually am. I get really serious when I pitch and they think it’s funny. They tease me when I’m so focused because I just get so intense when I’m on the mound.” When games have an unfavorable outcome, what does the team do to refocus?
“Just like the rough series we had at Michigan, it’s important for us to turn our game around, back to our winning ways. We can’t let it get us down. The best thing we can do is learn from it, and just forget about it. I think we have been able to do that.”
Do you enjoy being one of the seven left-handed pitchers on the roster?
“We lefties get a bad rap-everyone calls us backwards. But I think it has its advantages. Actually, my whole family is left-handed. My mom, dad, and brother are lefties too. It’s in our genes.”
Are scarlet and gray in your genes as well?
“Yeah, everyone in my family is a die-hard buckeye fan. There wasn’t really any other option but to be a Buckeye. Plus, Ohio State is one of the best schools for baseball in the North with a winning tradition and an excellent coaching staff.”
Do the coaches ever let you hit in practice?
“The coaches get upset with me when I hit fungos too much. I’m just supposed to hit it to the infielders to save my arm, but mine always seem to end up in the outfield. I miss hitting, but I do what I can in practice to make up for it.”
When you aren’t playing or practicing, what do you like to do?
“Hanging out with my friends, spending time with my family and of course school consumes most of my spare time. I get to travel a lot because baseball gives me an opportunity to fly to a lot of places. It’s not always easy playing a varsity sport and going to school, but we have it easier than most probably would. The school does a good job of scheduling for the team.”
