Some Numbing Numbers Petticrew’s Line: 66 Ks, 3 Walks

In the opening round of the Region III-A baseball playoffs last year, Lakeside pitcher George Petticrew practically matched Wapato’s Albert Garza on the mound in the Eagles’ 2-0 loss.

Although Garza had the edge in the strikeout category, he and Petticrew allowed just three hits.

But here’s the kicker: Garza was a senior who would soon be drafted by the Cleveland Indians. Petticrew was a mere sophomore.

“I had a no-hitter through four innings. He (Garza) had one for five,” Petticrew said. “I didn’t know that he was getting drafted until after the game had ended.”

Now a junior, it may be just a matter of time before Petticrew has the pro scouts lined up to look at him. Especially if he keeps throwing the way he has this season.

The numbers Petticrew has put together are staggering. In Northeast A League games alone, Petticrew has pitched 37 innings, has a record of 5-0 and has struck out 66 while allowing just three walks.

In two victories last week, Petticrew pitched 14 innings, struck out 31, allowed only three hits and didn’t walk a batter.

According to Petticrew’s father, George, Sr., his son was attracted to sports at a young age.

“Ever since he was about five, if it was a round object that could be thrown or hit or caught or shot, he was doing it,” the elder Petticrew said. “He never had an interest in (toy) trucks or trains.”

This season, Petticrew Jr., is railroading his opponents.

“It feels like I’m completely in control,” Petticrew said. “Everything I do is just right. Our defense is great. I’m not worrying about anything else. I’m just doing what I have to do.”

Lakeside coach Matt Sullivan couldn’t be more appreciative.

“He’s just something,” Sullivan said of Petticrew, who was also a key participant of the Eagles’ state playoff-qualifying basketball and football teams.

“It’s nice for us because we’re real young,” Sullivan said. “Great pitching and solid defense is what we need, and George helps us get that.”

Recently, Petticrew has been the beneficiary of a couple of gifts. One was achieved through hard work while mother nature intervened on the other.

“He’s always thrown hard, but now he’s got this slider that is really confusing hitters,” Sullivan said. “And physically, he grew 3 inches from last year.”

At 17, with probably some more growing to do, Petticrew is 6-foot-3, 180 pounds.

Petticrew said baseball is his favorite sport and he hopes that his pitching will earn him a scholarship to a nearby college.

“I’ve gotten a lot of letters from colleges, but that’s still a ways off,” Petticrew said. “I’ll think more about it when the time comes.”

Sullivan believes the thing that may separate Petticrew from other athletes is that he is a relaxed person.

“He’s incredibly loose. He doesn’t look like he’s really trying to throw hard,” Sullivan said.

There are 66 batters in the Northeast A, however, who obviously know better than that.

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