On most baseball game days, the hits, runs, and final score get the fans on their feet. What people often miss is the focus and strategy that must come from the pitcher’s mound. This season, ELHS’s pitching staff, led by seniors Tristan Glover, Aidan Cochrane, and Andrew Sevigny – all of whom have already committed to playing at the collegiate level – has become central to the team’s early success, combining different styles, routines, and mental approaches into one cohesive unit.
Cochrane has been pitching since he was 5, but didn’t fully commit to the position until he was 15. Now, he’s developed into a pitcher who combines velocity with strategy.
“For high school, the fastball is pretty dominant, but I also just try to locate my pitches. I try to use different styles for
lefties versus righties,” Cochrane said. With a top speed of 92 mph, his presence on the mound is hard to ignore.
Not only is Cochrane a star on the mound, he’s also a strong leader off the field. “Aidan is an awesome leader. He keeps the team relaxed and keeps it fun. His abilities are something pro and college scouts have picked up on for good reason.. He has a lot of big things ahead of him,” baseball head coach Jack Biggs said.
For Glover, pitching wasn’t always a part of his baseball journey. He only started focusing on it his freshman year. “I stuck with it because I was good at it. It came to me easier than hitting,” Glover said. Since then, his approach has been to rely on his strength.
“I like to throw the ball hard,” he added. That power, combined with improved command and his new top speed of 90 mph has helped him become a reliable weekly starter. When he’s not pitching, Glover plays first base.
“Tristan is the ultimate teammate. He goes above and beyond for our team. He’s always willing to take on all different roles as a senior leader and compete at a high level in all different areas of the field,” Mr. Biggs said.
Like Cochrane, Sevigny also began pitching in Little League. “I’ve always been tall, so it’s always been the role that makes the most sense for me,” Sevigny said. Rather than relying on speed alone, he focuses on control and placement.
“Andrew is more of our quiet leader. He’s willing to do anything for the team. He was always labeled a ‘PO’ [pitcher only], but this year, because he got bigger and stronger, we decided to have him hit as well. He’s helped us tremendously and he blends so well with our pitching staff,” Mr. Biggs said.
While each pitcher brings a slightly different style, all three pitchers agreed that what makes pitching stand out from other positions is the mental strength they must carry.
“There’s definitely a lot more pressure that comes with it because everyone’s focused on you. It’s all on you to execute every pitch,” Cochrane said.
Sevigny agreed: “Pitching is definitely a mental game. After one or two bad pitches, you start to get into your head. You have to stay focused and shake it off.”
Despite the pressures they face, the pitchers all have an immense love for the game. That love is what led them all
to commit to play for the next four years in college, with Cochrane committed to UConn, Sevigny committed to Nichols College, and Glover committed to Union College.
“I’m passionate about the sport, and I’m just excited to continue being able to continue to play,” Glover said.
Cochrane continued, “UConn travels so much. They’ll go out to Texas, California, sometimes Hawaii. Getting able to
experience that with people who love the sport as much as I do and want to win just sounded amazing,” he said.
For Mr. Biggs, watching them move on is bittersweet. “I’ve had the opportunity to coach these guys since they were nine. I’ve been able to see these guys grow up, not just into great baseball players, but into good people. Their leadership is a big piece of the success we’ve had, and I think we can go far this year,” Mr. Biggs said.
For younger players looking to follow in Cochrane, Glover, and Sevigny’s footsteps, their advice is simple: trust the
work you put in, and focus on your love for the sport.
“Success will come if you just find the part of the sport you’re passionate about, whether it’s hitting or pitching. Find the part you love and then get your practice in,” Glover said.
Cochrane added, “Trust the work you put in. I was not the best player growing up. Freshman year, I didn’t even pitch JV. Focus on your love for the sport and put the work in,” he said.
