With a year of Division I baseball under his belt, senior left-handed pitcher and Plaquemine native, Ronald Gilchrist entered this season with a confident air. His confidence shows on the mound, as Gilchrist ranks in the top five in three Southland Conference statistical categories, which include wins (third with six), strikeouts (third with 7.89 per game) and innings pitched (third at 6.56).
The Jones Community College (Ellisville, Miss.) transfer and former St. John High School star said he believes that by not allowing the little facets of the game get him down, he has found a renewed focus.
“I worked hard during the off-season,” the 23-year-old Gilchrist said. “I think the big difference between this year and last, is I am more mentally tough.”
According to pitching coach Gerard Cassard, the key for Gilchrist has been his ability to stay away from the big inning, which plagued him last season.
“This season his biggest thing is, he’s pitching well and limiting his mistakes,” Cassard said. “He believes he’s the best, and our team believes they’re going to win when he goes out there.”
Last year with seven, Gilchrist won more games than any other Colonel, but by his own admission he was not pleased with his season.
“I think the problem was, I was competitive to the point where I let any mistake get me down,” Gilchrist said.
Recently, in a conference game against Texas-Arlington, Gilchrist tossed a one-hitter, but received the loss.
Instead of taking that defeat hard, Gilchrist decided to focus on the positive, which was that his team won the next two contests to take the series.
Gilchrist said throwing the one-hitter and still receiving the loss, is a part of baseball.
“Some days you don’t get the run support,” Gilchrist said. “Sometimes things don’t work out, but you can’t blame it on someone else or point fingers. You have to realize that no one is perfect and try to get it done the next day.”
With just two conference series left, Gilchrist said he did not want to make any predictions about Nicholls (11-10 in SLC play) future.
“Its do or die time, the most important thing for us right now is we need to come together as a team ,” Gilchrist said.
In his spare time, Gilchrist enjoys spending time with his friends and relaxing. Gilchrist plans to graduate in the spring with a degree in general studies.
Head coach B.D. Parker and pitching coach Cassard said Gilchrist’s services would be missed when his career comes to a close.
“He’s improved a lot from this year and last,” Parker said. “He’s gone out there and been very consistent. He’s just a great kid and a great competitor.
“He’s just blossomed,” Cassard said. “He’s a bulldog, and he’s a guy whose matured over years by just starting and figuring out some things. With him it was confidence and changing how he pitched. He’s a guy who has a chance to play pro-ball.”
