For Andrean pitcher Louis Gage, the question was never whether he had the tools to succeed at the high school level.
Whether the 6-foot-4 left-hander’s tools would produce favorable results on the field was another matter.
“He came in, and we had this tall, lengthy lefty — you know, everything you’re looking for in a prototypical lefty,” Andrean assistant Jason Novak said. “We were like, ‘Man, if this guy can figure it out, we’ve got something good here,’ and for three years, he just didn’t have it.
“We knew he had a good arm, we knew he had good stuff, and he was always a kid who was working hard and trying to do the best he could. He had a few chances here and there, but it didn’t click. Then this past offseason came around, and he had figured it out when we started throwing in the winter. Something clicked for him.”
Indeed, Gage has provided a definitive answer to the question in his senior season, becoming a revelation on the mound for the defending Class 3A state champion 59ers.
Gage is 4-0 with a 0.76 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings for Andrean (14-1, 6-1), which is ranked No. 1 in 3A in the state coaches poll, and opponents are hitting just .132 against him. His repertoire includes a fastball that he can throw 85 mph.
Most important, Gage has finally learned how to consistently throw strikes, a significant step for someone who hit the first batter he ever faced in youth ball.
It all started in his garage.
“To be honest, I really just threw a ball at a 12-by-12 target for four months,” Gage said. “That really helped me zone in on my mechanics and visualize where to throw the ball, just seeing the ball hit the target. That was the main thing I worked on.”
Gage logged every pitch, tracking how often he hit the target as he worked to sharpen his command. That routine mirrors Gage’s approach to his Andrean career. Novak said Gage’s path is a blueprint for younger players facing similar struggles.
“He’s a great example of ‘if I don’t have it now, that doesn’t mean stop working,’” Novak said. “Figure out how to get better. We preach here to do something to get better each day, and clearly that has clicked with Louis.
“For some guys, if it takes one year or three years, you just hope they don’t give up, and Louis didn’t. He stayed with it, and it’s paying dividends right now.”
Andrean senior captain Luke Goben has had a front-row seat for Gage’s rise. They’ve been teammates for three of their four seasons in baseball and even played basketball together as freshmen. Goben said it’s rewarding to see Gage’s work pay off.
“He started to realize he needed to have a competitive edge on the mound this year,” Goben said. “He was too passive on the mound, showing little to no emotion. You’ve got to go up there showing that you’re the guy and you’re him on the mound, and he’s had that aggression and shown a little emotion this year, which I like.
“It’s a great feeling to see him finally succeed after all the hard work he’s put in. I’ve seen him work really hard, and I’ve seen how much he’s wanted it ever since our freshman year. He deserves this moment, and I’m really happy for him.”
Gage’s emergence comes at a pivotal time, not only strengthening the 59ers’ bid for a second straight state title but also preparing him for the jump to college baseball at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Eager for the challenge at the next level, Gage said he and his Andrean teammates have unfinished business. The 59ers have won nine state titles under coach Dave Pishkur, who has taken a temporary leave of absence but intends to return this season. No Indiana baseball team has won 10 state titles.
“We’ve got great chemistry, and we like to have fun and win baseball games,” Gage said. “We just need to fix the little things and continue to have that passion. Do it for DP and get that record he’s always wanted.”
Noah Poser is a freelance reporter.
