Our #4 starter, South Alabama's Lance Baxter, started his summer almost as well as Paul Burnside did for Winchester a few years ago: On June 5, the first time he stepped on the mound in the Valley League, he threw a no-hitter. According to the inning limit imposed by his college coach, he wasn't supposed to throw more than 5 innings, but because of the special circumstances, he obviously finished the game.
The no-hitter was just the beginning of Baxter's dominance in the league. He started 8 games, going 6-0, 1.26, with a 1.120 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9, 9.5 K/9, and .220 opponent's batting average in 50 innings. Lance made quite a few batters miss; he struck out more than one batter per inning in 4 of his 8 starts, with 9 K's in 6 shutout innings against Waynesboro on June 18. Staunton won all 8 games Baxter started.
Named first team All-League, Lance finished 2nd in the league in ERA, tied for 2nd in wins, and 6th in opponent's batting average.
Lance has pitched two seasons at South Alabama:
2007: 4-3, 4.84, 1.60 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9, 5.7 K/9 in 61 1/3 innings
2008: 4-5, 6.42, 1.73 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9, 6.3 K/9 in 68 2/3 innings
I believe Lance will make a huge leap this spring at SA, given what he did in Staunton. Congratulations, Lance, on the fine summer!
To read ATVL's interview with Baxter, click here. (Awesome picture below courtesy of Haymarket Joe)
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