More Velocity Added To Already Strong Harrison Pitching Staff

WEST LAFAYETTE — The long wait for Harrison junior pitchers Lannon Nicoloff and Jeremy Lowrey finally ended on Monday afternoon.

Nicoloff and Lowrey were making their first pitching appearance of the season during a 5-2 win over Frankfort.

Arm injuries required Lowrey and Nicoloff to take time off and rehab their arms after various maladies shelved the hard-throwing right handers.

Nicoloff, a commit to George Mason was the starting quarterback for Harrison and plays shortstop. But he hadn't pitched a baseball to live hitters in a game since last July. For Lowrey his wait has lasted since August.

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Both Lowrey and Nicoloff can throw 90 mile per hour fastballs and are now free to uncork their mix of power and spin in a pitching order solidified by starters Chase Gothrup and Lyrik Neal.

Gothrup hasn't allowed a run in 26 innings this season with 28 strikeouts and six walks while Neal carries an 1.96 ERA with 38 strikeouts and nine walks allowed for Harrison (14-4).

"It felt good and I trust the defense behind me," Nicoloff said. "I just want to get in there, pound the strike zone and let my defense do the work."

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Relief was felt by Lowrey after pitching the sixth inning and walked off the mound pain free. Together they add to one of the best pitching staffs in the state with the IHSAA baseball sectional round set for Saturday, May 31 at Kokomo Municipal Stadium.

"I haven't been this comfortable pitching in front of a team," Lowrey said. "I'm excited to watch this team set up and see what it can do."

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@jconline.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at  ethan_a_hanson.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Harrison junior pitchers Lannon Nicoloff and Jeremy Lowrey add depth to pitching staff