Sophomore right-handed pitcher Andrew Morris came to Colorado Mesa University (CMU) at 17 years old and even though he was young he always proved to be mighty on the mound.
His freshman year, he really looked to the senior pitchers to help him learn the course of the style and pace of college baseball. They also taught him how to compete with the best at the collegiate level.
“They just kind of helped me learn how to compete, especially Will [Dixon], watching Will pitch was amazing just how he was an amazing competitor. So that really helped me for this year figure out how to dig down deep,” Morris said.
This helped Morris a lot as the team entered the post season where they eventually hit the big stage at the Division Two World Series in Cary, N.C. Before getting to Cary, Morris got tested against Angelo State.
“One of the best starts I think I’ve ever seen was against Angelo State, the first game, when we won one nothing in extra innings. He really grew a lot that year,” junior first baseman Jordan Stubbings said.
Morris’s next start was against Central Missouri and he explained that he can not wait to get back to that moment where he gets to be in that position again.
“My favorite moment was definitely playing in the national championship in [20]19 and getting to pitch there and play with that team. It was an unforgettable experience and I hope to do it again,” Morris said.
He ended his freshman season with a 3.88 Earned Run Average (ERA), 67 strikeouts and a 7-1 record.
Flash forward to 2021 and Morris is still putting up unbelievable numbers for the Mavericks.
The Boulder, Colo. native has had three consecutive starts that he has put up double digit strikeout numbers. Morris struck out 14 in his start against The University of Colorado-Colorado Spring and threw his first complete game of the season.
By the time the game was over Morris threw 136 pitches and the way he has trained really paid off in that scenario.
“He throws more pitches in the bullpen weekly than any other pitcher by a large margin. So we aren’t afraid to throw him 120 pitches,” Head Coach Chris Hanks said.
Throughout his six appearances this season, the righty has an ERA of 1.93 which is second in the starting rotation. He also already had 68 strikeouts in only 37 and one third innings. He has also only given up 11 earned runs.
With COVID shutting down the 2020 season after Morris had only appeared in five games. He took the time to focus on the little things in his mechanics. More than anything it helped him get into a more focused mindset.
Morris has the confidence in junior catcher Spencer Bramwell to know he can throw a low breaking ball and it won’t hit the backstop.
“I got a lot of confidence in throwing a breaking ball in the dirt. I know he is going to knock it down. He is going to give me 150% back there so it is always good to have a lot of confidence in your catcher,” Morris said.
Morris gets his chance to go against big hitters every day as he throws against the Mavericks lineup during inner squads and practice. Doing this allows Morris as a pitcher to get better as well as the lineup because they know they are going up against a pitcher that gives 100%.
“His freshman year, we kind of owned him in the inner squads like he would get knocked around a little bit. And so stuff like that, but he hasn’t really been hit lately in inner squads. And he’s been taking each at bat against us more and more seriously. He’s a stud. I don’t like facing Mo, but I’ll face him any day because he makes me better,” Stubbings said.
Morris got handed the ball Friday night to start the series with Metro State Univeristy-Denver. He really delivered as he threw a no-hitter through seven innings. He finished the outing with 15 strikeouts, four walks and one hit.
“It means so much to be able to to put on a show like that for the fans as well as perform for my team and get the win on firework night. So it’s really exciting that it turned out like that, I’m very pleased,” Morris said.
Looking ahead, Morris wants to do everything he can to keep his team on the right track and wants to see his success keep rolling.
