‘Bows led NCAA in fewest walks allowed

One of the things baseball coaches and beat writers have in common is an affinity for pitchers who throw strikes. (Reporters with tight deadlines also appreciate quarterbacks who don’t throw incompletions, point guards who don’t foul, especially in four-possession games in the final minute,and soccer players who don’t do the worm-like-injury dance after being kicked in the shin.)

And that’s why there’s great appreciation for the ‘Bows’ 2017 pitching staff, which led the nation in fewest walks allowed this season. (NCAA stats became final following the end of the College World Series.) The ‘Bows relinquished 114 walks in 457 innings, an average of 2.25 per nine innings. It was commendable because: 1) none of the starters consistently topped 91 mph, and 2) “we basically replaced 70 percent of the innings pitched” from the previous season, according to coach Mike Trapasso.

That meant the ‘Bows were effective in the lower part of the strike zone.

“Kudos to the guys and all the work they put into it,” Trapasso said.

There’s optimism for 2018. Starting pitchers Dominic DeMiero, Neil Uskali and Jackson Rees will be back for their senior seasons. They also will add several prospects. Hard-throwing Cade Smith, the Minnesota Twins’ 16th-round pick, has indicated he likely honor his commitment to enroll at UH in August. The Twins hold his rights until 11:59 p.m. Aug. 15.