There are few positions in all of sports that come with more pressure than the closer. Whether it’s a slim lead to protect, a tie to maintain or even damage to control, the closer is expected to come in at any time and perform at his highest level every single game.
Fortunately for the Little Giants, sophomore Keegan Leckrone has answered the call this year. After earning two wins in relief work against Case Western last weekend, Leckrone earned NCAC Pitcher of the Week honors and improved to 4-1 on the season.
In the first game Leckrone struck out three in two hitless innings, picking up his first win of the weekend. He would not be called on again until the final game of the series, where he had another impressive performance. In three innings, Leckrone struck out five and again allowed zero hits in nine at-bats, earning another win.
So what’s the key to being a great closer? For Leckrone, it’s simply in the mind. “I think it’s all mental,” Leckrone said. “At the college level, everyone has the tools. You just have to have the mindset to come in, no matter the situation, and do work.” Leckrone said keeping this mindset has helped ignore the pressures of closing a game and have success thus far. “As a closer, there’s always going to be pressure,” Leckrone said. “You just have to keep that mindset and focus purely on the task at hand.”
Leckrone’s statistics have been impressive all year, which has strongly contributed to Wabash’s strong 13-9 start. In 24 innings pitched, Leckrone has 21 strikeouts, allowed just 13 hits and has held his opponents to a 1.73 batting average. He leads the team with a 1.88 earned run average and has one save on top of his four wins. As a starter, Leckrone has been strong as well, which shows his versatility. In his first start against Texas Lutheran, Leckrone struck out four and gave up four hits and two runs in a win. Leckrone picked up his only loss on the year in his second start against Illinois Wesleyan, despite allowing just two earned runs on three hits.
Leckrone is not the sole bright spot on the Wabash pitching staff, however, as the Little Giant hurlers have looked solid across the board. Junior Mike Korfagen is 2-1 with a 2.58 era and an incredible 48 strikeouts. Junior Andy Weeks is also 2- 1, with a 3.58 era, 22 strikeouts and just nine walks. Only two Little Giant pitchers, junior Joey Niezer and freshman Nick Schrader, have records below .500.
For closers, there can be a lot of down time before they get called into the game. But even while still in the dugout, Leckrone makes sure to stay active. “Me and (sophomore pitcher) Willie Matis try to keep the team positive and keep everyone in the game” Leckrone said. “While not in the game, it’s our job to keep everyone energized.”
So as the team moves into the final stretch of the season, the pressure will continue to rise. Just don’t expect it to affect Leckrone.
“I really like to relieve,” Leckrone said. “I just feel comfortable up there.”