McCutcheon pitcher Sammy Swank sharpens mindset in 2024
WEST LAFAYETTE — McCutcheon pitcher Sammy Swank took his baseball training to the next level when he trained with the Indiana Bulls, the premier club baseball organization that's helped develop the 6-foot-2 sophomore.
Swank would've been a starter for the Mavericks' basketball team had he chosen to play. Instead he gave up the hardwood to focus solely on baseball.
Traveling to Indianapolis has helped Swank command his fastball, craft his off speed pitches and focus on strength and conditioning to strengthen the elasticity on his arm and generate more torque on his pitches.
The results are paying off for Swank who commanded the strike zone, threw 6 1/3 innings with six strikeouts to lead McCutcheon over Harrison 3-1 on Wednesday.
"Some say Indiana is a basketball state but I say it's a baseball state," Swank said. "Everybody is competitive here."
Swank's evolution as a pitcher is helping pave the way for McCutcheon, undefeated through nine games with impressive out-of-area wins against Cathedral, Huntington North and Crown Point.
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Swank believes his growth comes from the trust he's built with senior catcher Sage Adams. While Swank led McCutcheon last season with 45 strikeouts, he also walked 15 batters, the most on his team.
"I know that if I throw a bad pitch behind the plate, I know I can just the fact the fact (Adams) is going to block it," Swank said. "I'm working down hill faster."
McCutcheon head coach Tristan McIntyre has watched Swank make micro adjustments in his game. His overall delivery, the calmness he shows on each pitch and confidence are all factoring into the Mavericks' hot start in 2024.
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"He had good command even in his freshman year but the biggest difference is we get into pressure situations and the game slows down for him," McIntyre said.
Swank reiterated his commitment to Kentucky, an announcement he made before the season. He's throwing 92 MPH with consistency with greater movement on his slider and changeup.
"The relationships there are great, the culture at Kentucky is amazing," Swank said. "Pitching coach Dan Roszel and I had a great connection when we first met at a camp. I feel like right after that, I knew it was home."
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@gannett.com, on Twitter at EthanAHansonand Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: McCutcheon pitcher Sammy Swank sharpens mindset in 2024
