By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor It could be easily argued that La Salle shortstop Ethan Patrick carried more pressure on his shoulders to produce offensively than anyone in the area, and maybe the section. Patrick hit .442 this season with 42 hits, scored 21 times, drove in 21 runs and had 12 doubles, 7 […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
It could be easily argued that La Salle shortstop Ethan Patrick carried more pressure on his shoulders to produce offensively than anyone in the area, and maybe the section.
Patrick hit .442 this season with 42 hits, scored 21 times, drove in 21 runs and had 12 doubles, 7 triples and two home runs.
His average was fourth best in the area, and his 42 hits tied Maranatha’s Eddie Lopez for tops among all Pasadena-La Canada area players.
The next closest Lancer in average was Sammy Martinez, who at .271 was some .171 points back of Patrick.
Martinez was second best in hits with 23, which was 19 shy of the La Salle shortstop.
Patrick’s play in the field, at the plate, his work ethic and leadership skills have all led to this moment (or announcement).
Patrick committed to Loyola Marymount University Friday afternoon.
“Ethan is not only a great player, he is a great leader, friend and person,” La Salle pitcher Zane Lindeman said. “He carried the weight of our entire offense and instead of letting it hold him down, Ethan embraced it and did more for us than even we thought was possible. Loyola Marymount just got one of the best infielders in California.”
Patrick is one of the most respected ‘pure’ players in the area, and the only thing that would or could have potentially held him back from playing at the next level was the unfair burden that scouts put on someone who isn’t 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds.
His play alone shut down those concerns.
Patrick was named the Pasadena Sports Now co-Player of the Year with Maranatha’s Marco Martinez and Eddie Lopez.
“Ethan is a great player,” Martinez. “He does everything well and is a great leader. I know he’s a competitor in all aspects of the game. Baseball wise, he pushes himself to be the best.”
“Ethan and I are about the same size, and it’s awesome that he’s able to break all the stereotypes of guys our size and to play Division 1 baseball,” Lopez said. “His hard work paid off, and I couldn’t be more happy for him.”
Perhaps the best part of this story is that Patrick is taking some financial burden off his parents, Jim and Debbie.
“We’re not the richest people in the world, so anything I can do to help my parents out means a lot,” Patrick said. “They’ve more than done their part, so I am glad to in some way pay them back.”
All the days and nights during the off-season taking ground balls or having someone throw him batting practice have officially paid off.
“It’s a great feeling to know I don’t have to play in every showcase game,” Patrick said.
His former coach Mike Parisi couldn’t be more proud of his shortstop.
“Ethan is the kind of kid every coach dreams of having, because he works so hard and is such a quality kid,” Parisi said. “I was honored to be his coach and I look forward to seeing his progress and being one of his biggest fans.”
Patrick, though, has one more year in Pasadena and was able to look back on the season that just ended and the one that is about 10 months away.
“I did feel a lot of pressure to lead the offense, because we struggled much of the season to score runs, but I also knew my teammates would do everything they could to help as well,” Patrick said. “Looking forward, I am going to continue to work hard and strive to be the best player, teammate and leader I can be.”
Quotable:
Pasadena Sports Now Baseball Coach of the Year, Matt Shupper of Maranatha: “Ethan is a terrific player and would be a great teammate and player at any school. LMU is getting a great kid and an all around top notch player.”
