EHS baseball player throws perfect game

EHS senior pitcher Sebastian Lewis threw a perfect game during game one of Monday’s varsity doubleheader against Baldwin when they won 14-0.

The last out was caught by senior second baseman Gavin Hobson after the ball was popped up by the Baldwin player at bat. Lewis said he was nervous as the last batter was at the plate. 

“I got a 3-0 count on the last batter, so that really got me super nervous for it, but I wasn’t too focused on it because I was more focused on just getting the final out and getting to help the team,” he said. 

Lewis wasn’t sure how to celebrate after pitching the perfect game, but he said having his first perfect game under his belt is a confidence booster.  

“I just kinda walked off and then everyone started cheering me on,” he said. “They piled on me, and I was like, ‘Oh, OK, we’re actually celebrating.’” 

Hobson thought back to the fundamentals when he caught the last out to complete Lewis’s perfect game. 

“Just catch it, two hands on the ball, and don’t let it drop and ruin it for him,” he said.

Hobson said player chatter was down, and no one brought up the fact that Lewis was throwing a perfect game.

“Nobody wanted to say it and ruin it for him,” he said. “We all just kept quiet about it and let him throw. Let him be him.” 

Senior catcher Will Schreiner said he could tell Lewis was getting nervous toward the end of the game, and he wanted him to finish strong.

“Everyone knew it at the time, and I didn’t want to say anything because obviously I didn’t want to jinx it,” he said. “I just wanted to call a good game for him and keep him relaxed because, you know, catcher-pitcher relationship.” 

Schreiner was hoping Lewis would strike the Baldwin player out to end the game.

“I thought he was going to strike him out,” he said. “I wanted to strike him out as that last pitch and then celebrate, but it popped up and we still got the job done, so I was happy.”

Wilson Kilmer has been coaching the EHS varsity baseball team since 2014. No pitcher has had a perfect game during his tenure until Monday. 

“With younger guys, it’s harder to command the strike zone as much, so you may see some no-hitters, but there’s walks or there’s errors or something goes on, one pitch gets away and hits a guy. Anything can happen to ruin that, and this was the first time I saw it perfect,” he said.

Kilmer was aware of Lewis’s perfect game, and like many other players on the team, he had superstitions and didn’t want to say anything about it.

“The ball popped up to Hobson and I’m going, ‘You better catch that or your life’s going to be miserable,’ but he secured it,” he said. “I don’t know if all the guys knew it or not, but I think the majority of us did because we all kinda stormed out to where Sebastian was and congratulated him on the victory.” 

Kilmer said it was Lewis’s first win of the season. 

“When you’re pitching the first game, typically you’re playing against the other team’s ace, too,” he said. “He just had some matchup problems at times, but I think this will help his confidence. We’ve always had a lot of confidence in him.” 

Lewis said the team has been a little rusty and it can be difficult to play if players are unfamiliar with each other, but he feels as though the team chemistry has improved.

“It’s a big part of actually playing a game,” he said. “You gotta trust everyone on the field, especially if you’re a pitcher throwing a perfect game.”

The varsity and junior varsity baseball and softball teams won all of their games and completed the sweep at Baldwin Monday and Lewis’ perfect game highlighted the night. 

The varsity boys will compete Tuesday at Ottawa.

 

Reach reporter Chris Fortune at [email protected].

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