Post by elonfirefighter on Sept 14, 2007 10:28:00 GMT -5
:: Senior pitcher leaves Elon
When February rolls around Phoenix baseball begins the long haul through the season without pitcher, senior Ryan Basham.
Basham will no longer don the maroon and gold of Elon University, but instead will wear the purple of High Point, as his transfer to High Point University was completed at the start of the fall semester. At the root of Basham’s decision was an attempt to earn more playing time.
“He wanted an assurance that he was going to pitch everyday and we don’t give anybody that,” coach Mike Kennedy said. “That’s more along the lines of why he left. He just needed an assurance of what was going to happen and we don’t do that.”
There were many colleges that Basham had to choose from but he chose High Point because of the chance to earn more innings and get a better chance to play after college.
“[High Point] lost three of their top four pitchers last year.” Basham said. “They have over 200 innings that someone had to take so it’s a really good fit…Obviously wanting to continue on to play at the next level [was key]. Not too many guys are noticed out of the bullpen as a starter is where you are going to get scene.”
Basham started 12 games as a freshman, but only had seven starts as a sophomore and his ERA skyrocketed by two points between his first and second seasons with the Phoenix. Coming into Elon he was rated as the No. 2 overall player in North Carolina and in the top 200 nationally by Baseball America, but since then his numbers have fallen.
“He’s had as many opportunities as anyone has ever had here,” Kennedy said. “He started several games as a freshman and got the same opportunities as a sophomore and a junior. That’s the name of the game; you have to perform at this level to get those opportunities.”
Basham leaves behind teammates and friends he has made throughout the last three years.
“It was tough; I have had a girlfriend for more than two years now, so it was tough,” Basham said. “It’s only 20 minutes away so I’ve met a few guys for dinner.
“We keep in touch pretty well… It’s not too bad, the hardest thing is leaving friends that you have had for three years is pretty tough.”
Pitcher Jesse Lewter is one of those teammates and friends left behind.
“We were good friends and actually roommates sophomore year,” Lewter said. “I was really tight with him.”
But Basham will make the trip back to Elon this year, as Elon and High Point will face off twice, once at each team’s home diamond.
“We play High Point twice a year and High Point plays us tough,” Lewter said. “It will be a little awkward seeing him in High Point…I look forward to that game because it’s a big rivalry. I’m sure we will get pumped up when that game comes.”
Lewter has bounced in and out of the rotation in his years at Elon and had one thing to say about a potential match-up with his old friend.
“I think it would be really fun,” he said.
Basham made the decision to leave Elon after he started the last conference tournament game for the Phoenix. Even though the choice was completely Basham’s, Kennedy still feels slightly responsible.
“We don’t like to lose anyone whether they pitched a lot or a little,” Kennedy said. “Elon is a special place and we like to take care of our own.
“So any time somebody leaves it’s disappointing and you feel like you failed in some area.”
When February rolls around Phoenix baseball begins the long haul through the season without pitcher, senior Ryan Basham.
Basham will no longer don the maroon and gold of Elon University, but instead will wear the purple of High Point, as his transfer to High Point University was completed at the start of the fall semester. At the root of Basham’s decision was an attempt to earn more playing time.
“He wanted an assurance that he was going to pitch everyday and we don’t give anybody that,” coach Mike Kennedy said. “That’s more along the lines of why he left. He just needed an assurance of what was going to happen and we don’t do that.”
There were many colleges that Basham had to choose from but he chose High Point because of the chance to earn more innings and get a better chance to play after college.
“[High Point] lost three of their top four pitchers last year.” Basham said. “They have over 200 innings that someone had to take so it’s a really good fit…Obviously wanting to continue on to play at the next level [was key]. Not too many guys are noticed out of the bullpen as a starter is where you are going to get scene.”
Basham started 12 games as a freshman, but only had seven starts as a sophomore and his ERA skyrocketed by two points between his first and second seasons with the Phoenix. Coming into Elon he was rated as the No. 2 overall player in North Carolina and in the top 200 nationally by Baseball America, but since then his numbers have fallen.
“He’s had as many opportunities as anyone has ever had here,” Kennedy said. “He started several games as a freshman and got the same opportunities as a sophomore and a junior. That’s the name of the game; you have to perform at this level to get those opportunities.”
Basham leaves behind teammates and friends he has made throughout the last three years.
“It was tough; I have had a girlfriend for more than two years now, so it was tough,” Basham said. “It’s only 20 minutes away so I’ve met a few guys for dinner.
“We keep in touch pretty well… It’s not too bad, the hardest thing is leaving friends that you have had for three years is pretty tough.”
Pitcher Jesse Lewter is one of those teammates and friends left behind.
“We were good friends and actually roommates sophomore year,” Lewter said. “I was really tight with him.”
But Basham will make the trip back to Elon this year, as Elon and High Point will face off twice, once at each team’s home diamond.
“We play High Point twice a year and High Point plays us tough,” Lewter said. “It will be a little awkward seeing him in High Point…I look forward to that game because it’s a big rivalry. I’m sure we will get pumped up when that game comes.”
Lewter has bounced in and out of the rotation in his years at Elon and had one thing to say about a potential match-up with his old friend.
“I think it would be really fun,” he said.
Basham made the decision to leave Elon after he started the last conference tournament game for the Phoenix. Even though the choice was completely Basham’s, Kennedy still feels slightly responsible.
“We don’t like to lose anyone whether they pitched a lot or a little,” Kennedy said. “Elon is a special place and we like to take care of our own.
“So any time somebody leaves it’s disappointing and you feel like you failed in some area.”
