Ouachita pitcher Patrick Lemmond knew things would be different when he returned for his senior year. Fresh off the heels of an historic World Series showing, Lemmond prepared to meet his new coaches after three years of consistency in the form of head coach Scott Norwood.
“I was a little bitter about playing for an entirely new coaching staff my senior year, but Coach Chris Moddelmog has really eased that feeling away,” Lemmond explained.
Lemmond went on to express some of the changes that have occurred since Coach Moddelmog took over the head coaching position.
“Coach Moddelmog and our previous coach, Coach Norwood, couldn’t be more different when it comes to coaching styles,” Lemmond said.
“They are the two opposite ends of the spectrum. Coach Norwood was a get-in-your-face-and-get-results kind of guy. Coach Moddelmog is really laid back and lets you play your game. He gives you a lot of freedom in playing styles.” Lemmond went on to add, “With Coach Moddelmog, you won’t see bats flying out of the dugout and hear a lot of yelling.”
In addition to Moddelmog, Ouachita gained a new coaching staff including assistant coaches Luke Howard and Dan Skirka.
“Coach Howard, the new pitching coach, is a young guy. He likes to try different techniques and test the pitchers. I think Coach Moddelmog and Coach Howard are a good combination together so things will work out in the spring,” Lemmond said.
As an accounting major, Lemmond has learned to tackle the challenges of balancing life as a student athlete. Heavy loads of homework, strenuous workouts and intense practices consume Lemmond’s life and are an integral part of his daily routine.
“A typical practice day starts at 2:45 p.m. and I begin by running and stretching. After I warm up my arm, I throw. Practice lasts until around 6:45 p.m. and then I go eat dinner. After dinner we go back to lift weights for about an hour,” Lemmond said.
Pitching is definitely Lemmond’s passion and has been since he began playing Little League at the age of five. His six-foot-four-inch, 210-pound frame is imposing and intimidating when he takes his pitching stance on the mound.
“I like pitching because it’s a mental game. It’s me versus every batter that steps in the box. I love the head-to-head competition. It’s kind of the unglamorous and dirty job of baseball,” Lemmond said.
A self-proclaimed “competitive person,” it’s no surprise Lemmond enjoys some of the other perks of being a pitcher.
“My favorite part of pitching has to be making batters feel stupid. If I can make the batter overthink or not think enough, he’s finished. Every hitter requires a different approach and the biggest challenge is finding what works. I love being on this side of things,” Lemmond said.
Athleticism is an attribute that runs deep in the Lemmond family. Patrick’s father, Steve, was an athlete at Ouachita. His brother, Matthew, played baseball at Ouachita from 2003-2007. In fact, Patrick and Matthew played two seasons together for Ouachita.
“Playing with my brother for two years was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I have learned more about baseball from my brother than from anyone else. It’s hard to find brothers on sports teams these days, so it was definitely special,” Lemmond said.
The two brothers are very close, and Lemmond believes baseball is what truly bonded them. “It was the common thing in our lives that brought us together. I have discussed more pointless and random topics on the baseball field with my brother than anyone can imagine,” Lemmond said.
The memory of watching his brother play his final game at Ouachita is forever etched in Lemmond’s mind. “It was really hard to see Matthew end his baseball career and play his last game. We will always be able to look back when we’re older and say that we played two years together with a combined record of 81-34 and a No. 1 ranking in the nation for five weeks,” Lemmond said.
In addition to being a member of the NCAA Division II national runners-up team, Lemmond has received numerous accolades for his pitching abilities. He has been named to the Second Team All-Gulf South Conference, the All-Arkansas First Team and even led the nation in saves as a relief pitcher.
Although Lemmond is unsure about how the spring season will play out, he is sure about the goals that the team has set. “Our goal is to win the west division, the conference title, the regional title and the World Series. Our mentality is to win every aspect of the game, explained Lemmond.
With leadership from seniors like Lemmond, there is a strong possibility that the baseball team could repeat the successes of last year and bring home several more titles and honors for Ouachita.
