Ohio State freshman starting pitcher Seth Lonsway delivers a pitch in the first inning of Tuesday’s game in the Scarlet and Gray World Series. Credit: Edward Sutelan | Assistant Sports Editor
Ohio State freshman starting pitcher Seth Lonsway will not make his collegiate debut and play this season for the Buckeyes.
“[Lonsway] is ineligible for the season with academic issues from his high school,” head coach Greg Beals said at the team’s media availability Friday.
Beals added that his first semester at Ohio State “went great” academically, but the NCAA took issue with a few of the classes on his high school transcript.
Lonsway is arguably the most talented prospect the Buckeyes have brought aboard in the past few seasons. He was projected as a top starter for Ohio State this year.
“We’re all disappointed about that, but we gotta move on and Seth’s met that, and knows where we stand with that,” Beals said.
The left-hander has a fastball that reaches the mid-90s and a slider that Prep Baseball Report called “filthy.” His high school accolades included a perfect game and a 17-strikeout single-game performance.
The Cincinnati Reds drafted Lonsway in the 19th round out of high school, but Lonsway came to Ohio State with hopes of improving his draft stock.
Ohio State will begin its preseason with the Snowbird Classic in Port Charlotte, Florida, on Feb. 16.
