Indiana University’s Connor Foley, a sophomore right-handed pitcher from Jasper, IN, has been named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week following a stellar performance in the Baseball at the Beach Tournament on February 17. Foley’s outstanding pitching debut as a starter earned him the honors, marking a significant milestone in his collegiate baseball career.
Foley made his first career start against the 18th-ranked Coastal Carolina. It didn’t take long for Foley’s mettle to be put to the test. In the first inning, Foley found himself in a very dangerous situation against one of the nation’s most explosive offenses. The Chanticleers, who had put an offensive showcase the day before, put two men aboard with one out, and Foley recorded a second out by blowing a 96 mph fastball by cleanup man.
The Indiana sophomore went on to dazzle with four scoreless innings, striking out seven batters, allowing only two hits, and holding the Chanticleers to a meager .143 batting average. His overpowering stuff and ability to reach 97 mph on the radar gun undoubtedly caught the attention of both opponents and scouts alike.
Foley’s Freshman Potential
Foley’s journey with the Hoosiers has been taken him from the bullpen to the starting rotation after just one season. As a freshman, he quickly became a dependable arm in clutch situations, showcasing his imposing 6-foot-5 frame and a flamethrowing fastball that consistently reached the mid-90s and occasionally touched triple digits on the radar gun.
Reflecting on his initial approach to pitching, Foley noted, “Last year I came into games just trying to attack, attack. I had like one pitch — it was just throwing it by guys hopefully.” Despite the simple approach of his strategy, Foley’s effectiveness was evident. In 29 innings of relief as a freshman, he boasted a 3.72 earned run average and 42 strikeouts. Notable performances included a nine-out save against Michigan State and a bases-loaded escape act against the University of Kentucky in the NCAA Regional.