All your favorite teams and sources in one place

Build your feed

Your Teams.
All Sources.

Build your feed

© 2024 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC.

No results found.
Former Dover and DSU pitcher Lawson earns first MiLB win
After a stellar 2019 senior season with the Delaware State Hornets where he finished 7-3 with a MEAC-best 1.85 earned run average, left-handed pitcher Garrett Lawson earned his first professional win for the Los Angeles Angels low-A affiliate Inland Empire 66ers on May 9. (Photo: Delaware State University Athletics; Courtesy: Derrick Slayton)

Former Dover and DSU pitcher Lawson earns first MiLB win

DOVER, Del. (BVM) — This moment has been a long time coming for Garrett Lawson. After standout careers at both Dover High School and Delaware State University, Lawson became the Hornets’ first MLB draft pick since 2009 when he was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 19th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft on June 5, 2019. Since that time, the 2019 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year has been toiling in the Angels’ system waiting for his opportunity to play, which was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, eliminating the entirety of the 2020 minor league season.

However, Lawson’s patience paid off this past week as the hard-throwing lefty has made an early season impact on the Inland Empire 66ers, the Angels’ low-A affiliate team. On May 4 against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Lawson made his professional baseball debut pitching two innings and giving up just one earned run while dealing four strikeouts. The moment became widespread news throughout the city of Dover.

While his debut was a phenomenal success for the 22-year-old, he was not done with his career milestones during the week.

During the team’s May 9 game against the Quakes once again, Lawson would be thrust into a difficult situation. After watching his team give up a four run lead in the eighth inning and tying the score at five in the bottom of the ninth, Lawson was called on to keep the Quakes at bay during extra innings, being subbed in at the start of the 10th with a runner on second per MiLB extra inning rules.

Though faced with extreme pressure, Lawson remained cool as he struck out the first batter he faced. In the next at-bat, Lawson got some defensive help from his catcher Keinner Pina as he threw out the potential go-ahead run as the baserunner attempted to steal third. After giving up a triple, Lawson was again calm as he struck out the final batter in the frame to maintain the tie.

With the 66ers failing to score in the bottom of the inning, it was up to Lawson to again give his team a chance. Lawson was able to get into a more favorable position during the first at-bat of the 11th as he forced a double play on a lineout, eliminating the threat on second. Though he would surrender two walks in the next two at-bats, Lawson was able to coax a grounder out of the final batter in the frame for an easy force out, once again giving the 66ers a chance to win the game in the bottom of the inning.

This time, the 66ers would pull through as Kyren Paris would single on a fly ball to the outfield to score the winning run and give the team the 6-5 victory. The score would also give Lawson his first career win in the professional ranks as he would finish his day with two innings pitched, no earned runs, one hit, two walks and two strikeouts. In total, Lawson would face seven batters and would throw 34 pitches, 18 for strikes.

Though it may have been a long time coming, even more so with the pandemic delay, the wait was worth it for Lawson. With his first professional appearance and professional completed, Lawson will be able to build on what will be a memorable season. As he moves ahead in his career, his first victory against the Quakes will be one the young pitcher will never forget.