Lewis making a difference for Faith Christian baseball
By PATRICK MASON
Sports Writer ROCKY MOUNTTELEGRAM
Saturday, March 25, 2017
This was one of the few times Faith Christian baseball coach Greg Clifton didn’t have to chase Ben Lewis off the field for staying late.
Faith Christian had just pummeled Halifax Academy, 22-0, on Friday in a game that was called after 2 1/2 innings. Lewis, the Patriots’ shortstop, played a big role in the team’s offensive outburst. He went went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an RBI single. And after the game, Lewis held a rake in his hand, smoothing the dirt between second base and third. He was the last of his teammates to leave the field, which has become a common occurrence.
After practices, Lewis will ask Clifton to stick around and smash him grounders. Other times, Lewis will set up the tee and work on his swing. It’s something different every time, but what stays constant is that Lewis will put in extra work each day.
“I have to chase him out of here all the time,” said Clifton, who is in his sixth season as head coach. “He just works so hard, day in and day out.”
Lewis wasn’t always a difference-maker on the field. He was admittedly an average player in middle school who steadily improved throughout his high school seasons. It wasn’t until last year that he moved up in the batting order and into the No. 3 slot as a junior, before moving into No. 4 this season. He credits his improvement to his dedication.
“I was never really good until coming to high school,” Lewis said. “I never made all-star teams. It was more of a slow process. It was gradual. Just taking swings, or ground balls after practice, doing whatever it takes.”
His work on the tee helped calm his swing, and he displays a more fluid approach. His timing has improved, and is able to use all fields with an improved ability to protect the inside of the plate. Lewis’ home run came on an inside fastball that he was able to turn on and pull over the left-field fence. One of his strengths is being able to own the inside portion of the plate, even as pitchers try to sneak fastballs in on his hands. In previous seasons he might not have been able to have such success on those inside pitches, but he’s added that element to his game and it’s paid dividends.
“His nickname is ‘Manimal,’” Clifton said. “Half man, half animal.”
“I became a lot more comfortable with my swing,” Lewis said. “I’m in the cages every day, and the reps, the reps are the biggest part. I learned my swing from that, and learned from my mistakes.”
Lewis’ improvements have helped jolt the Patriots to an 8-1 record this season, as well as attention from the collegiate level. He earned a spot on a college roster next season, playing for Louisburg College. He is one of three Patriots seniors that have committed to play baseball in college.
“I’m chasing the dream,” Lewis said. “Going as far as I can, and playing for as long as I can is what I want to do.”
Lifting partner Braxton Varnell is headed to Pitt Community College, while ace pitcher Landen Roupp is headed to UNC-Wilmington. The three combine for a potent lineup. Varnell bats behind Lewis and catches a strong rotation of pitchers. Roupp has developed his swing and is a fixture in the No. 3 slot. He showed off his talent by smacking two doubles on Friday, including one he laced down the right-field line while batting left-handed. Roupp is a righty, but figured he’d take some cuts from the opposite side of the plate in a blowout.
“These three are all pretty special guys,” Clifton said. “I’ve never had a group of guys like this in my time here.”
.
By PATRICK MASON
Sports Writer ROCKY MOUNTTELEGRAM
Saturday, March 25, 2017
This was one of the few times Faith Christian baseball coach Greg Clifton didn’t have to chase Ben Lewis off the field for staying late.
Faith Christian had just pummeled Halifax Academy, 22-0, on Friday in a game that was called after 2 1/2 innings. Lewis, the Patriots’ shortstop, played a big role in the team’s offensive outburst. He went went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an RBI single. And after the game, Lewis held a rake in his hand, smoothing the dirt between second base and third. He was the last of his teammates to leave the field, which has become a common occurrence.
After practices, Lewis will ask Clifton to stick around and smash him grounders. Other times, Lewis will set up the tee and work on his swing. It’s something different every time, but what stays constant is that Lewis will put in extra work each day.
“I have to chase him out of here all the time,” said Clifton, who is in his sixth season as head coach. “He just works so hard, day in and day out.”
Lewis wasn’t always a difference-maker on the field. He was admittedly an average player in middle school who steadily improved throughout his high school seasons. It wasn’t until last year that he moved up in the batting order and into the No. 3 slot as a junior, before moving into No. 4 this season. He credits his improvement to his dedication.
“I was never really good until coming to high school,” Lewis said. “I never made all-star teams. It was more of a slow process. It was gradual. Just taking swings, or ground balls after practice, doing whatever it takes.”
His work on the tee helped calm his swing, and he displays a more fluid approach. His timing has improved, and is able to use all fields with an improved ability to protect the inside of the plate. Lewis’ home run came on an inside fastball that he was able to turn on and pull over the left-field fence. One of his strengths is being able to own the inside portion of the plate, even as pitchers try to sneak fastballs in on his hands. In previous seasons he might not have been able to have such success on those inside pitches, but he’s added that element to his game and it’s paid dividends.
“His nickname is ‘Manimal,’” Clifton said. “Half man, half animal.”
“I became a lot more comfortable with my swing,” Lewis said. “I’m in the cages every day, and the reps, the reps are the biggest part. I learned my swing from that, and learned from my mistakes.”
Lewis’ improvements have helped jolt the Patriots to an 8-1 record this season, as well as attention from the collegiate level. He earned a spot on a college roster next season, playing for Louisburg College. He is one of three Patriots seniors that have committed to play baseball in college.
“I’m chasing the dream,” Lewis said. “Going as far as I can, and playing for as long as I can is what I want to do.”
Lifting partner Braxton Varnell is headed to Pitt Community College, while ace pitcher Landen Roupp is headed to UNC-Wilmington. The three combine for a potent lineup. Varnell bats behind Lewis and catches a strong rotation of pitchers. Roupp has developed his swing and is a fixture in the No. 3 slot. He showed off his talent by smacking two doubles on Friday, including one he laced down the right-field line while batting left-handed. Roupp is a righty, but figured he’d take some cuts from the opposite side of the plate in a blowout.
“These three are all pretty special guys,” Clifton said. “I’ve never had a group of guys like this in my time here.”
.
