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LANCASTER – There was no doubt it was Carson Miller’s biggest start of his career, but the Lancaster junior pitcher was more than ready for the moment facing defending Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division champion Pickerington Central.
Lancaster coach Corey Conn went to the mound twice with thoughts of taking Miller out, but each time, Conn saw something in Miller and let him continue. Miller was masterful in his six innings of work, and each time he needed to come up with a big pitch, he delivered.
Miller matched Tiger pitcher Colton Landtiser, an Ohio University commit, pitch for pitch. The Gales were able to scratch out two runs in the bottom of the first inning and added an insurance run in the sixth to secure a 3-0 victory on a chilly Friday night at England Field.
More: Lancaster baseball continues to shine, picks up fourth win in a row to start the season
“That is a big win, they are a great team, and they had a great pitcher on the mound,” Conn said. “For us to come out here in less-than-ideal conditions with the cold weather, our guys handled it, and any adversity they faced today, they came through on the other side and I’m just proud of how they reacted in those tough moments.”
Lancaster improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the league. It was the Gales’ fifth consecutive shutout win, and they have now outscored their opponents 52-2 through the first six games.
Miller pitched six innings, giving up two hits while striking out 10 and walking two. Kam Griffith pitched the seventh inning. After walking the first batter, he struck out the next two and recorded a fly out.
“I had confidence going in, my arm felt good, and I have one of the best defenses in Ohio behind me and that gives me even more confidence as a pitcher,” Miller said. “I just had to throw strikes and let them play. The biggest thing for me was trying to calm myself down and not get sped up. I just had to stay relaxed. It was just me and Zach. I wasn’t thinking about anything else.”
Miller had plenty of help from the Gales’ defense. Junior left fielder Coleson Ross had two big-time catches in the first inning. Junior shortstop Brayden Montogomery also threw out a runner at home, and senior catcher Zach Mowder made a great play on the throw at the plate.
Conn said he knew Miller was facing a tough task against the Tigers, but he also knew Miller would compete and give it his all, which is exactly what he did.
“Carson was getting up there in the pitch count and couple of times I went out there to have a little meeting and to see where he was,” Conn said. “His eyes told me he was locked in and ready to compete. Whenever you have a competitor on the mound, it’s hard to take him off. You know he is going to give you everything he’s got, and the defense behind him, they know that too, so they are going to make plays for him. He made some huge pitches all throughout the game and he plays with passion, which you love to see.”
Landtiser was just effective as Miller. He gave up three hits and finished with 10 strikeouts. However, he walked six batters, and two of those scored.
Mowder, who walked three times, scored a run and had a sacrifice fly that scored the Gales’ insurance run in the sixth inning, led off the game with a walk and Aiden Henson followed him with a walk. Levi Greiner followed with an RBI single, and Henson would score on a wild pitch to give the Gales a quick 2-0 lead. After that, both pitchers settled in and continue to put zeros on the board.
The Gales have relied on pitching and defense, which led to success, but Conn stresses to his players they are only as good as their last game.
“Baseball is a game that will humble you quick,” Conn said. “If you show up and don’t have the right mindset, it will humble you right now and we talk a lot about that. We practice so hard, and if you show up with the right mindset and if you play the game the right way, everything else will take care of itself.”
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at [email protected] for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Bulldog mentality: Lancaster’s Carson Miller was masterful against PC
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Lancaster coach Corey Conn went to the mound twice with thoughts of taking Miller out, but each time, Conn saw something in Miller and let him continue. Miller was masterful in his six innings of work, and each time he needed to come up with a big pitch, he delivered.
Miller matched Tiger pitcher Colton Landtiser, an Ohio University commit, pitch for pitch. The Gales were able to scratch out two runs in the bottom of the first inning and added an insurance run in the sixth to secure a 3-0 victory on a chilly Friday night at England Field.
More: Lancaster baseball continues to shine, picks up fourth win in a row to start the season
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“That is a big win, they are a great team, and they had a great pitcher on the mound,” Conn said. “For us to come out here in less-than-ideal conditions with the cold weather, our guys handled it, and any adversity they faced today, they came through on the other side and I’m just proud of how they reacted in those tough moments.”
Lancaster improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the league. It was the Gales’ fifth consecutive shutout win, and they have now outscored their opponents 52-2 through the first six games.
Miller pitched six innings, giving up two hits while striking out 10 and walking two. Kam Griffith pitched the seventh inning. After walking the first batter, he struck out the next two and recorded a fly out.
“I had confidence going in, my arm felt good, and I have one of the best defenses in Ohio behind me and that gives me even more confidence as a pitcher,” Miller said. “I just had to throw strikes and let them play. The biggest thing for me was trying to calm myself down and not get sped up. I just had to stay relaxed. It was just me and Zach. I wasn’t thinking about anything else.”
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Miller had plenty of help from the Gales’ defense. Junior left fielder Coleson Ross had two big-time catches in the first inning. Junior shortstop Brayden Montogomery also threw out a runner at home, and senior catcher Zach Mowder made a great play on the throw at the plate.
Conn said he knew Miller was facing a tough task against the Tigers, but he also knew Miller would compete and give it his all, which is exactly what he did.
“Carson was getting up there in the pitch count and couple of times I went out there to have a little meeting and to see where he was,” Conn said. “His eyes told me he was locked in and ready to compete. Whenever you have a competitor on the mound, it’s hard to take him off. You know he is going to give you everything he’s got, and the defense behind him, they know that too, so they are going to make plays for him. He made some huge pitches all throughout the game and he plays with passion, which you love to see.”
Landtiser was just effective as Miller. He gave up three hits and finished with 10 strikeouts. However, he walked six batters, and two of those scored.
Mowder, who walked three times, scored a run and had a sacrifice fly that scored the Gales’ insurance run in the sixth inning, led off the game with a walk and Aiden Henson followed him with a walk. Levi Greiner followed with an RBI single, and Henson would score on a wild pitch to give the Gales a quick 2-0 lead. After that, both pitchers settled in and continue to put zeros on the board.
The Gales have relied on pitching and defense, which led to success, but Conn stresses to his players they are only as good as their last game.
“Baseball is a game that will humble you quick,” Conn said. “If you show up and don’t have the right mindset, it will humble you right now and we talk a lot about that. We practice so hard, and if you show up with the right mindset and if you play the game the right way, everything else will take care of itself.”
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at [email protected] for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Bulldog mentality: Lancaster’s Carson Miller was masterful against PC
Continue reading...
