Paige Lowary is proving to be as good as advertised
Missouri may have struck gold with its latest freshman arm.
Paige Lowary, named SEC Pitcher of the Week on Monday, has a 5-0 record with 1.30 ERA to go along with 30 strikeouts in 27 innings early this year. Lowary is proving she may have what it takes to be that steady number two behind the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, Tori Finucane.
“It’s the first time in a couple of years that we have actually had two really really good pitchers,” said Associate Head Coach Pete D’Amour. D’Amour manages the pitching staff and the pitch calling for the Tigers.
“If you want to have a good season you have to have two pitchers on board, and we have three,” said D’Amour.
The three core pitchers, Tori Finucane, Paige Lowary and Cheyenne Baxter, are off to a terrific start to the season. In MU’s first 10 games the three pitchers have a combined 58 strikeouts and 1.27 ERA in 66 innings pitched.
Lowary’s emergence, however, has everyone talking. She is providing more than just wins for a team that has made the NCAA tournament in each of the last eight seasons. According to staff ace Tori Finucane, Lowary is also taking pressure off of her.
“Mentally and physically,” Finucane said. “It kind of takes pressure off of everything to have a core pitching staff this year.”
Lowary’s hot start to her collegiate career might have taken the SEC by surprise, but her dominance did not shock her teammates and coaches.
“I was expecting it,” said Finucane. “She is on and off the field an awesome person, and I think she was just going to go in there and kill it.”
When D’Amour was asked if she surprised him at all he replied, “No, she is a left handed pitcher that throws sixty.”
The only aspect of Lowary’s game that seems to be unexpected is her ability to remain poised at all times.
“Her composure in big games has been pretty surprising, which is a good thing,” said D’Amour.
“I knew she was good, and everyone has those first game nerves,” said senior outfileder Angela Randazzo. “But I didn’t expect her to just come out and just act like she is one of the leaders on the team.”
As the Tigers head off to Florida for the Citrus Classic, D’Amour would like to see an improvement in timely hitting, but he thinks the pitching is just fine.
“Being a little bit more aggressive when we are at the plate,” said D’Amour. “Pitching is pretty good right now so, you know I think we just keep that going.”
Citrus Classic
All games in Kissimmee, Florida
2/27/15 2:30 p.m. CT vs.Notre Dame
2/27/15 4:45 p.m. CT vs. Penn State
2/28/15 12:15 p.m CT vs. Minnesota
2/28/15 4:45 p.m.CT vs. James Madison
3/01/15 9:00 a.m. CT vs. Maryland
