With the Southland Conference tournament approaching at the end of the month, Sam Houston State ace Cody Dickson has worked to pitch out of a two-series slump.
Bearkat head coach David Pierce reiterated throughout the season walks and free bases have hindered the SHSU bullpen. For Cody Dickson, trusting the defense has limited walks issued from the bullpen.
“My last two starts I’ve kind of put too much stress on myself and trying to be perfect. I kind of forgot how to have fun,” Dickson said. “Once you start thinking about all the scouts and getting drafted you kind of start losing it all.”
Against conference opponent Oral Roberts in April, Dickson was pulled after issuing three walks and two hits for six runs in the first inning as the Bearkats went on to lose their first conference series.
“When I went up on the mound it was just one of those days I didn’t have any of my stuff. I was doing all I could to throw [the ball] over the plate,” Dickson said. “That was one of the worst games I’ve ever had.”
Dickson kicked off his junior season with two strong outings, gaining the attention of Major League Baseball scouts and was projected as the Bearkats strongest arm in the starting rotation. As the season progressed, the junior pitcher lost steam on the rubber and is struggling to break his slump.
Despite pitching woes that continue to plague SHSU’s ace pitcher, Dickson remains to look forward to his next outing.
“Once I got pulled [against ORU] I slept it off and the sun rose the next morning and you just got to go back to full confidence knowing you can get the job done.”
After working innings as relief following the ORU series, Pierce scheduled Dickson to start against the University of Texas at San Antonio for the Bearkats to scrape by with a 2-1 win Tuesday. Dickson’s five scoreless inning outing set the stage for SHSU to sweep Division I UT schools this season.
Approaching the mound against the Roadrunners, Dickson attributed his return to being able to trust a strong defense behind him.
“I just need to throw strikes. I trust my defense, I trust my catcher,” Dickson said. “It just comes down to playing the game and having fun playing it.”
SHSU’s conference season concludes at the end of the month and MLB scouts have approached the pitcher for possible delegations in his senior year. With another projected run in playoffs this season for the Bearkats, Dickson said his performance on the mound and involvement in the dugout remains his priorities.
The Bearkats will finish up their season with a three game home series against conference rival Central Arkansas May 16-18.
“With the scouts in the stands I don’t think about it that much because I know it’s all based on my performance on the field,” Dickson said. “My first objective is to do all I can to help the team win.”