Perseverance and hard work are known to regularly pay benefits.
Proving those attributes to once again be true is Delta State University pitcher and former Indianola Academy star Josh Hill.
However, the road to Cleveland and his newfound success was littered with obstacles for the son of Allen and Dr. Julia Hill.
Participating in a college baseball career seemingly rife with injuries and ultimately surgeries early in his collegiate journey, Hill has since emerged as a pitcher who is making his mark for the Statesmen in this young 2023 season.
Prior to joining the DSU baseball program, Hill began his college career at Mississippi State University before moving to Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia.
Meanwhile, the road to relief from pain and new life on the pitcher’s mound began with the removal of bone spurs in Hill’s shoulder. Additional surgery also included the release of a ligament which helped cause the bone spurs.
In addition to the physical repairs, Hill noted the mental side of pitching has played a role in his success.
“I have just gone back to trusting my stuff and letting it go. Before, I was trying to make every pitch perfect,” said the sophomore, who is majoring in exercise science at Delta State University.
On the strength of his performances, at this time Hill appears to have evolved into the role of a closer when on the mound.
Thus far in four appearances for the 5-8, 1-2 Delta State squad, Hill has hurled 5.1 innings and allowed an impressive zero earned runs to the opposition.
Hill’s stat line also reveals that his right arm has recorded nine strikeouts with no walks while allowing but four hits to opposing batters.
“I like to feel like the role is mine to lose at this point,” said the former All-State high school pitcher who helped lead the IA Colonels baseball team to the 2018 AAA State Championship. “Hopefully, I can keep getting the job done for the team.”
Possessing a high-velocity fastball as well as a sharp-breaking second pitch to go along with his change-up, Hill and his teammates will travel to Pensacola, Florida today. Once there, the Statesmen will compete against the University of West Florida in a three-game Gulf South Conference series.
Like the Statesmen, the 8-4 Argonauts own a 1-2 conference record.
However, the Statesmen will be back on DSU’s Ferriss Field next Tuesday evening. That day will find the Statesmen taking on the Henderson State University Reddies of Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
First pitch of this non-conference bout is scheduled to be thrown at 5 p.m.
The Statesmen and Reddies played a ten-inning contest this past Tuesday in Arkansas. The DSU squad fell by an 8-7 score in this extra -nning game.
