Will Bausinger didn’t envision a record-setting career when he first arrived on the campus of Missouri Southern State University.
As a freshman, the product of Marquette High School in St. Louis simply hoped to contribute in any way possible.
But on Sunday afternoon, the veteran performer reached a milestone with yet another stellar outing on the mound.
A senior right-hander, Bausinger became Missouri Southern’s all-time strikeout king and his outstanding complete-game-effort led the No. 18 Lions to a 7-0 MIAA baseball victory over Emporia State at Warren Turner Field.
“Will had a great day and he’s been an outstanding pitcher for us since he got here as a freshman,” Lions coach Bryce Darnell said. “I’m very happy for him. We knew it was coming, but it’s always great when it happens.”
Bausinger tossed nine shutout innings, scattering three hits and one walk while striking out 14.
The reigning MIAA Pitcher of the Week, Bausinger now has 279 strikeouts in his career, moving past Carl Junction native Payton Walker for the top spot all-time. Walker struck out 269 from 2013-16.
“It’s not something I ever thought about when I came here,” Bausinger said. “It’s not really a goal you try to set. It’s just something that happens over time. It feels great to do it. For it to happen here at our home field is nice, too.”
Bausinger is now 3-0 with a 2.29 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings. He’s been part of Southern’s starting rotation since the middle of the 2017 campaign when he was a true freshman.
In February of 2019, Bausinger threw the first perfect game in program history. He’s now added his name to another entry in the MSSU record book.
“Will is a really competitive kid, but you never envision something like that record when you recruit a kid,” Darnell said. “Credit Coach (Nick) Tuck too. He really liked him when he saw him pitch in high school (Marquette). And Will’s biggest thing is his competitiveness.”
There’s a new King of strikeouts for @MSSUBaseball as Will Bausinger has passed Payton Walker with 270 k’s and counting. @WillBausinger pic.twitter.com/tuo9a2DvF2
— MSSU Athletics (@mososports) February 28, 2021
SUNDAY’S RECAP
On a chilly day with temperatures in the 40s, the Lions took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning on Joe Kinder’s RBI single into left-center.
During a four-run sixth, Grant Harris delivered a run-scoring double, scoring Dexter Swims, and Kinder added a two-run double, scoring Harris and Matt Miller. Kinder later scored on a wild pitch for a 5-0 lead.
Jordan Fitzpatrick and Troy Gagan drove in runs in the eighth for a seven-run cushion.
“We’ve worked hard offensively on trying to cut our strikeouts down and I think we did that this weekend,” Darnell said. “Our at-bats were competitive.”
The run support was obviously more than enough for Bausinger, who started and finished strong by striking out the side in both the first and ninth innings.
“I felt really good with my fastball and my off-speed pitches today,” Bausinger said. “I just wanted to come out and make a statement.”
Bausinger also credited his team’s defense.
“I trust everyone that’s behind me at all times,” Bausinger said.
The Lions are now 9-0.
Bausinger added the key to the team’s hot start is simple.
“It’s just a testament to our work ethic and how dedicated we are,” Bausinger said. “We have a bunch of seniors who came back for another year. We want to make the most of it.”
PERFECT START
Nine games. Nine wins.
That’s how the Lions have begun the 2021 campaign.
Southern kept its record unblemished and completed a three-game sweep with Sunday’s win over the Hornets.
“We’re playing pretty good right now,” Darnell said. “Baseball’s a long season and there’s always ups and downs. I feel like we’re a competitive bunch and our guys really want to win. The guys like each other. We’ve had some timely hitting. We have to remain consistent. It’s a good start, but that’s just what it is—a start. There’s a long way to go.”
Simply put, the Lions are performing well in all areas of the game.
Led by a veteran trio, Southern’s pitching staff has a 2.25 ERA thus far.
“When your starting pitching is like it’s been for us, you always have a chance to win,” Darnell said. “Our relief pitching was outstanding yesterday, so credit goes to our pitching staff.”
Senior left-hander Zach Parish is 2-0 with a 0.89 ERA and 31 strikeouts. Junior southpaw Zac Shoemaker is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 24 strikeouts. Again, Bausinger is now 3-0. He struck out nine and gave up just two hits against Missouri S&T last week.
“Those guys have so much experience,” Darnell said. “We have a tremendous amount of trust in those guys. Last night, we told Parish he was coming out and he said, ‘No, I’m good.’ We just have a lot of trust in those guys for sure.”
The Lions are hitting .273 while their opponents are batting .216.
Henry Kusiak (.378), Gagan (.353), Kinder (.296) and Clay Milas (.290) are leading hitters. Gagan has 12 RBI, while Swims has driven in 10. Kusiak has a team-best 14 hits.
“Kusiak has been a really tough out and Troy has been really consistent,” Darnell said. “And Milas has had some big hits and it’s been good to see Grant Harris get in there. It’s been spread out.”
Defensively, Southern currently has a .972 fielding percentage.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Lions are at Washburn this weekend and at Missouri Western the following weekend.
The team’s next home date is scheduled for March 19 against Central Oklahoma.
