Wick’s Pitching Dominance, No-Hitter Earns Him Fayette Co. Player of the Week Honors
La Grange senior baseball player Wyatt Wick has emerged as an ace pitcher for the Leopards and recently threw a nohitter.
After throwing several dominant outings already this year, Wick threw five hitless innings during the district opener in what was a 20-1 win against Austin Eastside and called by a mercy rule.
“I don’t think words can really describe what he’s meant to us this year,” said La Grange head baseball coach Robert Barber. “The attitude he’s had and the work ethic he’s had this year has just set the tone for our whole team.
“The start he’s had to begin this season is just unlike anything I’ve really seen in my 17 years of coaching. It’s tribute to his hard work and dedication to his senior year. After losing his junior year last year, he really put in a lot of work over the summer and even into the fall. It showed and paid off for him and for our team.”
Of the 15 recorded outs for the Leps onslaught, 12 of them were strikeouts from Wick.
“He’s been close several times this year already,” Barber said when asked about Wick’s no-hitter. “He’s got a chance just about every game he goes out just because of the way he gets on the mound and commands that mound. He commands that strike zone and attacks the hitters. It’s been a pleasure to watch him so far and I hope to get to watch him many more games.”
Wick’s consistent dominance with his arm (not to mention being one of the team’s best hitters) has given him the nod for this edition’s Fayette County Player of the Week.
Question: What would you say are the keys to throwing a no-hitter?
Answer: “It’s all about just getting ahead of the batter. Getting the first strike over. Then you can, later in the count, get your pitch you want to pitch. You know, throwing the off speed. It’s all about getting ahead of the batter and just throwing strikes.”
Question: What are some personal or team goals for you this season?
Answer: “I want to win district as a team goal. That’s what I’ve been wanting to do all year for the team. I just work really hard to achieve that goal.”
Question: Which MLB pitcher do you model your game after or try to replicate?
Answer: “I really like Justin Verlander. He’s a really good pitcher and throws a pretty good curve ball. That’s who I like.”
Question: During a game, would you rather chew bubblegum or sunflower seeds?
Answer: “Sunflower seeds”
Question: What’s your favorite baseball movie?
Answer: “The Benchwarmers”
Question: Who do you have winning the World Series this year?
Answer: “I got to go with the Houston Astros.”
Question: “What’s your best pitch on the mound? Answer: “I would say my fastball.”
Question: How fast can you throw a baseball?
Answer: “85 mph”
Question: If you could play in one big league stadium, where would you play?
Answer: “Yankee Stadium”
Question: Can you describe what the game of baseball means to you?
Answer: “It’s a fun game. It’s a game of failure, so you have to deal with all the failure. But it’s so rewarding in the end.”
With no-hit bid potential for nearly every start, Wick gives La Grange baseball a rare advantage that could help boost his team to a district title and beyond.
Recent FCR’s Athlete of the Week
Jan. 29: Emma Jurecka, Fayetteville Basketball
Feb. 5: Hector Orona, La Grange Soccer
Feb. 12: Morgan Marburger, Schulenburg Basketball
Feb. 26: La Grange boys and girls basketball teams
March 5: Bryce Wilson, Schulenburg Basketball
March 12: Alex Lozano, Schulenburg Basketball
March 19: Missy Zoch, Texas Tech Softball
March 29: Jessica Pope, Flatonia Track
April 2: Trey East, La Grange Track
April 9: Wyatt Wick, La Grange Baseball
* Read about the new honorees in our Friday editions and then watch their interviews on our Facebook page a few days later.