Blake Schwartz is used to pitching in cold weather.
In his first two starts at Oklahoma City University, Schwartz has had to deal with gametime temperatures of 43 and 36 degrees.
“You literally never get warm when you pitch in that weather, you just have to bear through it,” Schwartz said. “It honestly felt like I was throwing back in Minnesota. I came down here for some warmer weather and the first couple of games have been a little tough. You can’t feel your fingers. You can’t feel your legs and you just hope that you can throw strikes.”
Schwartz, a senior right-hander from Rosemount, Minn., has recorded 22 strikeouts in his first two stars for the Stars, including 10 strikeouts and one hit in five innings against No. 15 Missouri Baptist on Feb. 10 and is this week’s Super Star of the week.
“My main goal when I pitch is to be aggressive in the zone and let our defense do the job,” Schwartz said. “We have a great defense and I just happened to strike a couple of guys out.”
Schwartz also struck 11 batters against Grand View (Iowa) on Feb. 4.
“My approach on the mound is to throw everything as hard as I can in the zone,” Schwartz said. “Curveball, fastball, just throw it in the zone, and if they put it in play, my defense will make a play, and if they swing through it, then I get a strikeout.”
Schwartz is in his first season with the top-ranked Stars, but says he doesn’t worry about the pressure of being the No.1 team in the NAIA.
“We know we have the talent to be No. 1,” Schwartz said. “I personally don’t put too much stock in it because the only thing that counts is being No. 1 at the end of the year. We could be No. 50 right now, but as long as we win in Lewiston, that is all that matters.”
The success of the OCU baseball program is what drew Schwartz to Oklahoma City.
“I wanted to come win a national championship,” Schwartz said. “That is my main goal. I also want to advance into the next level of baseball, but with the squad that we have I thinks we can take down a national championship.”
The Minnesota native is majoring in environmental science with a minor in chemistry at OCU.
“Being from Minnesota, you’re in the wilderness a lot and as everybody knows, we have over 10,000 lakes,” Schwartz said. “I’ve spent a lot of time around water, so I wanted to get into water resource management. I want to stay in the outdoors because that’s where I enjoy most of my time.”
Schwartz, a fan of the Minnesota Twins, says his favorite sports venue is Target Field in Minneapolis.
“Growing up I always went to Twins’ games with my family at the Metrodome, so I was glad to see they finally got an outdoor stadium in Minnesota,” Schwartz said. “I’ve only been there a couple of time with my summer ball friends. We’d drive up from Mankato, and just have a day, spend the day in the city, and that is basically what it is. It’s a great place to spend the day with your family and friends.”
More on Blake:
Career plans: Marine biologist
Person I would like to interview: The late Harmon Killebrew
Define greatness: The ability to accomplish anything you set your mind to
Favorite athlete: Jerod Weaver
Favorite teacher: Dr. Ryburn
