For the first time in program history the West Orange baseball team is headed to the state tournament, many thanks to pitcher Tyler Baum.
In the Class 9A region finals versus Orange City University, Tyler threw 10 strikeouts in 5 innings, while allowing two hits and a walk. The Warriors won 3-0.
“I relied a lot on my defense, they came through. I knew that if I didn’t make the perfect pitch they’d make the play behind me,” said Baum. “So having them behind me out there really gave me the confidence to go out there and throw strikes.”
It’s what he has been doing all season long, with Baum throwing for an 8-0 record on the mound. The fastball is his specialty, clocking in at a top speed of 95 mph.
“He is one of the hardest throwers in the state, one of the hardest throwers in the country, so it’s good to have a guy like that on your side going out on the bump,” said Head Coach Jesse Marlo.
And he'll be on the mound again for the state semis, the North Carolina signee setting the tempo for a team that has never been to states before.
“It’s not his first rodeo when it comes to big games,” said Coach Marlo. “He has pitched in a lot of big ones, pitched against a lot of big teams, been in front of a lot of big scouts and cross-checkers and those types of things. So he should feel comfortable in any situation out there.”
The Warriors are 27-2 on the season, ranked No. 2 in BHSN's regular season ending baseball rankings. They may have never made it to states before, but this group has been dreaming of playing on the big stage for years now.
“It’s been a dream come true. Ever since our freshman year our class has strived together to do big things here, so getting into the Final 4 our senior year, really for the school and for Coach Marlo, everyone is just excited,” said Baum.