Lucas latest to join the club
BUTLER TWP — Join the club.
Butler senior Isaiah Lucas recently added himself to a growing fraternity, becoming the seventh Golden Tornado baseball player to sign a letter of intent for college ball.
Lucas was a designated hitter for Butler most of last season and will likely be the team's right fielder this spring. He is headed to Allegheny College next year.
Lucas hit around .400 last season and hopes to approach .500 this season.
“I love players who set high goals for themselves. It's a good motivating tool,” first-year Butler baseball coach Cody Herald said.
Lucas will be playing for another first-year coach next year in Brandon Crum at Allegheny. He was a Gators' assistant from 2012-16 before earning NJCAA Region III Coach of the Year honors as head coach at Mercyhurst Northeast last season.
“Isaiah comes from a good family and has tremendous work ethic,” Crum said. “We are losing four big hitters and two are outfielders. He will be given every opportunity to earn a spot right away. We love his power. We'll see how that develops this year.”
Lucas is looking forward to that opportunity.
“If I can get on the field as a freshman there through putting in a lot of hard work ... That's an awesome goal,” Lucas said. “All I want to do is help the program as much as I can.”
Lucas plans to major in business.
Allegheny has not had a losing season since 2012. The Gators are a member of the Division III North Coast Athletic Conference and have won at least 21 games in each of the past five years.
The Gators were 23-17 last season.
Lucas also considered Grove City and Slippery Rock before deciding on Allegheny.
“They've got a strong alumni group and a solid program,” he said. “I was impressed by both. I like the baseball atmosphere up there and it's not too far from home.”
Before leaving high school, however, Lucas wants to be part of a section championship team at Butler.
“I know I have to work on my defense in the outfield,” he said. “But we've got nine seniors on this team and it's possible that everyone will be playing in college.
“We know the talent is here and Cody is going to do a great job as head coach.”
Butler players signing baseball letters of intent earlier were shortstop-pitcher Connor Ollio (North Carolina), catcher Justin Stewart (California, Pa.), third baseman Jacob Keene (Tiffin), pitcher Nash Bryan and second baseman Ryan Linn (Wheeling Jesuit) and pitcher-first baseman Brandon Fleeger (Seton Hill).
“We may be having two or three more players sign yet,” Herald said. “I'm excited for Isaiah and his choice of Allegheny. I like when kids weigh their options and make the choice that's best for them.
“He's got a great bat, a lot of power. That power will really show when he hits the ball to right-center more. That's what we're working on.”
Lucas played in the outfield for the Knights — a summer team in Youngstown — last year and hit .400 for them.
“Isaiah is a natural hitter who's working hard to get better,” Herald said. “Allegheny will be very happy with who they're getting.”
Lucas will be playing with three Freeport graduates next year. Sophomore left-handed relief pitcher Nate Pastorek, junior outfielder Noah Shannon and freshman pitcher Tyler Hettich are on the Gators' roster this spring.
