WYATT LARIMER
BASEBALL PITCHER — WESTERN RESERVE
Only one thing was missing from Wyatt Larimer’s sophomore baseball season at Western Reserve High School: a state title.
The young right-hander was outstanding for the Blue Devils, helping them to their first state tournament win in school history and a school record for wins with a 23-6 record.
The numbers only tell part of the story. Larimer was 8-0 with a 1.05 ERA in 531/3 innings pitched. He also had 65 strikeouts to just 17 walks.
He capped off an undefeated season on the mound with a five-inning, 10-strikeout performance in the Blue Devils’ 5-2 win over Hicksville in a Division IV state semifinal in Columbus.
“I really didn’t think about it until my season wrapped up,” Larimer said.
“I never even looked at my stats, but once I did, I was like ‘Wow, this was one heck of a year.’”
His numbers were impressive, but it was his performances in big games that separated him from the rest.
To solidify his standing as one of the top young pitchers in the area, Larimer knocked off New Riegel sophomore Michael Kirian, who is verbally committed to the University of Louisville, in a regional title game. Larimer allowed just one hit over six innings and struck out seven to earn the win.
“It’s awesome that my coach has that much trust in me and confidence in me that I can go out there, no matter who it is, and he believes that I can win,” Larimer said.
Larimer is two-for-two in state baseball tournament appearances to start his high school career. It’s tough to get to the top. But, as they say, it’s even harder to stay there.
“I understand that it’s a very difficult feat,” Larimer said.
“But now that I’ve been there two years in a row, I think it’s just another thing for Western Reserve baseball and we’re used to it by now.
“We’re only getting better each year with all the young kids coming in.”