Ethan Patrick Photo credit: Dave and Xochitl Zuniga By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor Basing one’s judgments on La Salle shortstop Ethan Patrick by his physical stature alone would be a disservice to any college or franchise that a scout might represent. The Lancers’ junior is 5-foot-7 and weighs about 160 pounds, but his stats, dedication, […]
Ethan Patrick Photo credit: Dave and Xochitl Zuniga
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
Ethan Patrick Photo credit: Dave and Xochitl Zuniga
Basing one’s judgments on La Salle shortstop Ethan Patrick by his physical stature alone would be a disservice to any college or franchise that a scout might represent.
The Lancers’ junior is 5-foot-7 and weighs about 160 pounds, but his stats, dedication, skills and production match that of a much bigger athlete.
A year after leading La Salle with 31 hits during his sophomore year, and a .330 batting average, Patrick already has 31 hits this season, and has upped his average 119 points.
Ethan Patrick Photo credit: Dave and Xochitl Zuniga
Baseball is his life, and his success is a result of hundreds and hundred of hours of taking batting practice before and after practices and even on off-days.
As much success as he’s had at the plate, Patrick is someone coach Mike Parisi calls a “solid shortstop,” although Parisi thinks second base might be Patrick’s calling at the next level.
La Salle has been on a roller coaster all season, with big wins and at least a few crushing, late-inning defeats in Del Rey League play.
The Lancers are 13-9 overall, and 4-3 in league.
They are one-game back of Serra for second place, and need just a top three showing to qualify for a CIF-SS playoff berth.
At times, La Salle has played inconsistently, but Patrick never takes a day off, let alone a pitch or inning.
Patrick is the ideal leadoff hitter with a .519 on-base percentage, and 10 stolen bases in 11 attempts.
His .449 average, 31 hits, 17 runs, 11 doubles, 4 triples and 2 home runs all lead La Salle.
Ethan Patrick Photo credit Dave and Xochitl Zuniga
“Ethan is a great hitter, player and leader and someone I wish I had 16 of,” coach Mike Parisi said. “He works his butt off and was born to play baseball. He’s the guy you want at the plate when you need a big hit, and is one of the most talented and hard-working athletes I’ve had in my 17 years of coaching.”
Patrick played baseball, football and basketball almost his entire life, but he said he ‘fell in love’ with baseball at age 12, and has never looked back.
His parents, Jim and Debbie, have been there for Patrick from the beginning and are his biggest fans.
“They push me to be a better person,” he said. “My mom always makes sure I’m being a gentleman to everyone in school and on the field. They’ve also taught me to give back to the community, and it’s something I love to do, because giving back is a very rewarding feeling.”
Patrick has gotten some ‘initial’ interest from a few schools, but his coach said he could not only play at the next level and succeed, but that “whichever school gets Ethan improves their team instantly.’
“It’s been really tough trying to get recruited,” Patrick said. “I feel like I have to work much harder than players bigger than me, because I know I need to prove any doubters wrong and show them that production on the field isn’t defined by being over six-feet tall.”
Being the baseball lifer that he is, Patrick also wanted to credit little league coach Mark Davis for his years of help.
Whenever Patrick feels a slump coming on, which is rare, he’ll call Davis and they’ll do batting drills together, and it always seems to quell the downward spiral.
As much credit as he’s earned, EP was quick to deflect praise towards his teammates and coaches.
Sammy Martinez (.306 average, 19 hits, 11 RBI) and Noah Zate (.310, 13 hits, 8 RBI) have helped lead the offensive surge.
Grant Fosselman (4-3, 1.72 ERA), Zane Lindeman (4-4, 2.67 ERA), Jeff Daley (2-0, 1.59 ERA) and James Barnard (2-1, 2.47 ERA) have been critical to the Lancers success on the mound.
Patrick is not only thankful to his teammates who actually show a passion and desire to win, he’s also very appreciative towards his coaching staff, most notably, Mike Parisi.
Said Patrick: “Coach Parisi is a great coach. I’ve learned so much from him over the past two years. He always pushes me to be the best player I can be. He has really helped me progress into a better player. Coach Parisi has done such a great job with our baseball program. He always has our back through thick and thin, and it’s really nice to know he’s always there for us when we need it.”
With five Del Rey League games left, La Salle hopes to shore up some issues and head into the postseason on a high note.
“When everyone is ‘all in,’ we’re a very tough team to beat,” Patrick said. “I love my teammates and appreciate all the work they’ve put in. We have great chemistry, but sometimes we aren’t always playing up to our potential.”
If La Salle does make a deep playoff run, you can be sure that Patrick will have likely played a starring role in that pursuit.
But as his coach said, “Ethan cares way more about us winning games than he does getting attention for himself or individual accolades, and that’s just another thing that makes him a special kid and player,” Parisi said.
Quotable:
La Salle pitcher Zane Lindeman: “He’s the best. He lives, breathes, eats, sleeps baseball. He’s an awesome teammate, he leads by example and is one of the purest hitters I’ve ever played with. He’s the heart and soul of our lineup and a great friend to me. So grateful I can play high school and regale baseball with him.”
St. Paul coach Casey Morales: “Ethan is someone you want to avoid (at the plate) if you can. He is the focal point of their offense, and I think he is the best pure hitter in our league.”
Maranatha coach Matt Shupper: “Ethan is a true competitor on the field. Never takes off a play, has a natural swing and is a great teammate. I have had the privilege to both coach Ethan in an all-star game and coach against him, and I was taken back about how well he played the game, and how great he was in directing players on the field with respect and confidence.”
La Salle pitcher Jeff Daley: “Ethan is by far one of the most talented and dedicated teammates I have ever had. He works extremely hard on all aspects of his game whenever possible, and as a friend, he’s always an upbeat, positive guy. On the team, he leads through his actions and is overall very reliable not only on the field but also at the plate.”
La Salle DH Sammy Martinez: “On the baseball field, Ethan is one of the most hard working players out there, and you can see that in the way he plays. He’s also one of the most exciting players to watch. He makes some unbelievable plays and it’s just awesome to see what he does on the field. Off the field, he’s so fun to be around. Everything is about having fun to him and always smiling. Ethan is my guy, and I’m excited to see what he does in the future.”
EP’s Varsity Stats:
Sophomore Year: .330 average, 31 hits, 17 runs, 7 RBI, 4 doubles.
Junior Year: .449 average, 31 hits, 18 runs, 15 RBI, 11 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs.
Getting To Know Ethan Patrick:
Favorite Team: Angels
Favorite Player: Derek Jeter
Favorite Movie: The Endless Summer
Favorite Musical Artist: J Boog
Most Surprising Artist On His Ipod: Luke Bryan
Person I’d Most Want To Speak With: Eddie Aikou
Del Rey League Standings:
Bishop Amat (15-8 overall, 7-0 in league)
Serra (13-8, 5-3)
La Salle (13-9, 4-3)
Cathedral (12-8, 2-5)
St. Paul (10-14, 0-7)
La Salle Remaining Schedule:
April 27: St. Paul vs La Salle at Arcadia County Park at 4
April 29: West Torrance vs La Salle at Arcadia County Park at 11 a.m.
May 2: Bishop Amat vs La Salle at Arcadia County Park at 4
May 5: La Salle at Bishop Amat at 3:15
May 8: La Salle at Cathedral at 3:15
May 10: Cathedral vs La Salle at Arcadia County Park at 4
