The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Lovick eyes big finish on mound at BW
Evan Lovick began playing baseball at age 6, but the road he’s been driving for more than 15 years on that highway is nearing the end.
If he had his wish, the Mentor graduate would continue playing, but that’s likely not in the cards. So he’s ready for the next best thing — making a big push to close out his career in a big way. What a career it’s been for the left-hander.
Lovick was an all-conference pitcher for the Cardinals in high school, then made an immediate impact at Baldwin Wallace, despite battling through back pain as a freshman and sophomore.
That back issue limited his availability as a starter early on. In the 26 appearances he made his first two years at BW, 13 were starts. That changed as a junior with his back issues under control. Lovick made 10 starts in 12 appearances, and went 8-2 with a 2.47 ERA.
He’s looked sharp at the start of this season. In his first two starts, he earned two victories to improve his career record to 18-4. Against Anderson (Ind.) University and Oberlin College, Lovick threw 10 total innings, didn’t allow a run, and struck out 12 and walked just three batters. He was named the OAC Pitcher of the Week.
He’s looking like a pitcher who isn’t holding anything back.
“This is it,” said Lovick. “I’m putting everything out there this season. My arm hurts, don’t care. My back hurts, don’t care.”
His comments were in the figurative sense more than the literal, but Lovick is ready to take that bulldog mentality as BW’s ace and run with it.
Weather permitting, he’ll pitch every Saturday in the first game of his team’s Ohio Athletic baseball and eight games from March 3 to March 10 in Winter Haven, Port Charlotte and Ft. Myers. The games in Port Charlotte will be a bit of a homecoming for Lovick and his family.
His grandparents own a house there, and Lovick’s parents will be visiting as well.
“We’re excited, and it’s nice to get to some warm weather,” said Lovick, a two-time NCAA Division III All-Mideast Region selection. “There’s nothing better than just hanging with your friends and playing baseball. And it will be nice that my family will be there.”
In Florida, Lovick’s arsenal of pitches will be on full display. Since arriving at BW, Lovick said he’s gained about 5 mph on his fastball, and throws it in the mid to upper 80s. He makes his living with a four-seam fastball, a slider and changeup, but his out pitch is a two-seamer that tails away from the batter.
With Lovick leading the way on the mound, hopes are high for the Yellow Jackets. The team has been solid in Lovick’s first three seasons with a 76-49 record. Included in that stretch is a highwater mark of 31-12 during his freshman season of 2015.
“We definitely think we have a solid team this season,” said Lovick, who’s set to graduate in May with a degree in finance/business. “The best thing we have going is our team chemistry, which is great right now.”