Quality pitching fuels the success of a baseball team and this season Ohio has leaned on converted starter Derek Witt to provide quality innings.
Making Witt's quality starts even more impressive has been his recent transition to the starting role. Last year Witt made 19 appearances for the Bobcats, however, only two of them were starts.
Ohio coach Joe Carbone spoke about how Witt's ability to throw strikes has allowed the team to use him as a starter this season.
He did a very good job as a relief pitcher when we brought him in a couple times
Carbone said. He would be a good relief pitcher but he gives us more innings as a starter because he throws strikes so well.
Last season Witt posted seven relief appearances of four innings or more. He also finished with a record of 5-4 and a 3.35 earned run average. These long relief stints have made Witt's transition to the starting position easier by preparing him for the longer innings that come with being a starter.
Carbone also talked about Witt's ability to mentally prepare himself for both roles and his willingness to help the team, no matter the role.
He does well at both Carbone said. He adjusts to that very well psychologically. That doesn't bother him
doing either one. Some guys it bothers; they want to do this or they want to do that. He can handle both and do well at both.
For Witt (2-2, 4.29 ERA) this year has been a season of opportunity. He leads the team with over 35 innings of work and is also first with 22 strikeouts. Last weekend Witt came within one out of a complete game, the longest outing for a Bobcat pitcher this season.
Hopefully that will relieve a lot of pressure
catcher Ben Crabtree said. Now we can sort of come out and hopefully get on a roll.
Crabtree's theory was proven correct as the team played and won together last week, capped by Witt's great performance of eight and two-thirds innings against Kent State last Friday.
Witt described his feelings about being able to pitch so many innings this season.
I love it
Witt said. I like going out there and playing.
Carbone also discussed Witt's ability to throw many quality innings and the effects this has on the rest of the pitching staff.
With that it saves our bullpen so that we don't have to get into our bullpen so early when he pitches on the first day.
Despite Witt's great ability to switch roles he admits there are certain approaches he takes between relieving and starting.
Pitch selection
usually I'll come out throwing a little bit more fastballs (in relief)
trying to get the guys to put it in play a little bit more
try to be more in control
but really I approach it (the starting position) the same way. I just try to throw (strikes)
just get ahead early and throw strikes
