Oregon State University pitcher Luke Heimlich has been named National Pitcher of the Year. Heimlich led all pitchers with 16 wins this year and a school record 151 strikeouts which is the third highest in the nation. Heimlich has allowed just 91 hits in 120 1/3 innings, holding opponents to a .211 batting average with a 2.32 earned run average. He has recorded quality starts in 16 of his 17 starts. Since an April 13 win at Missouri State, Heimlich has recorded 10 or more strikeouts in seven of nine starts. Over that stretch, he has struck out 94 in 68 2/3 innings, allowing 44 hits and 12 earned runs – a 1.57 ERA.
Heimlich was named the Pac-12 Conference Pitcher of the Year in May, becoming the first to win the honor in back-to-back years since Arizona State’s Mike Leake in 2008 and 2009. Heimlich is also an All-Pac-12 performer and an All-Academic honorable mention selection, majoring in speech communication. He has been recognized by two All-American teams – the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and Collegiate Baseball.
Heimlich is slated to start in the opening game of the College World Series against North Carolina.
