The Rise Of Stand-Out Pitcher Basil Hendrix

SEATTLE- Junior left-handed pitcher Basil Hendrix has been one of if not the best pitcher for the O’Dea Fighting Irish this season, he’s pitched to an outstanding 2.625 ERA (earned run average) in a team-leading 18.2 innings, in those 18.2 innings Hendrix has only walked 5 hitters which gives him the best walks per inning rate on the team. Hendrix has been a huge part in both the relief role and the starting role throughout Metro League play. This hasn’t come out of nowhere however, Hendrix has shown his potential in the summer of 2022 when Hendrix displayed his great secondary pitches as well as great command. I asked Hendrix how baseball has impacted his life and the lessons he’s learned throughout the game,

Hendrix said, “Baseball has not just impacted my life, but it has completely changed and shaped it. From the time I wake up to the foods I eat, it all revolves around baseball. A few lessons that I have learned while playing this sport are that it is okay to fail and that nothing comes without practice and hard work. Baseball has not just impacted my life, but it has completely changed and shaped it. From the time I wake up to the foods I eat, it all revolves around baseball. A few lessons that I have learned while playing this sport is that it is okay to fail and nothing comes without practice and hard work.”

Clearly, Baseball has had a big impact on Hendrix as a young adult, it seems that he takes both preparing as well as playing baseball at a high level very seriously. Hendrix has been able to climb from the freshmen team in a shortened 2021 season to start on varsity as a junior this year. Hendrix’s role might have seemed smaller earlier in the season, however with senior Gonzaga University Signee Brady Foster being sidelined with an elbow injury for the majority of the season Hendrix has had to step up into a starting pitcher. I asked Hendrix what he thinks his role is now that he’s in the position he’s in,

Hendrix said, “My role on the team is to compete to the best of my ability every time I go out on the mound, to attack hitters and get quick and easy outs.”

Hendrix’s stats back up his words, 5 walks over 18.2 innings is unheard of in high school pitchers with great stuff, Hendrix gives his team many opportunities to win games by being quick and efficient on the mound. Hendrix has certainly exceeded expectations so far this season. I asked Hendrix’s teammate's senior Seattle University Signee JJ Abner his thoughts on Basil’s performances so far this season,

Abner said, “Basil is a great pitcher who we have relied on over the season. He has a great command of his pitches and has confidence that exudes when he’s on the mound. Love being able to play with him!”

Hendrix is a huge asset to an Irish team that has caught fire right when needed, the Irish are heading into the final stretch of the season with a shot at a first-round bye, we’ll look to see Basil Hendrix at the headlines in the big games coming up.