Blake Marks looks to pitch the Oilmen to victory in 2017 WHITING, Ind. -- May 19, 2017 -- Blake Marks, an incoming junior at Lewis University and Gardner, Ill. native, will join the Oilmen pitching staff this summer. Marks played at Lake Land Community College this spring, where he logged 73 innings in 13 starts as a sophomore. He finished the season strong, giving up three earned runs combined in his last three starts and allowing just one hit in six innings against Frontier Community College on May 6. Marks says his fastball, which hits the low 90’s and is what he considers his strongest pitch, has made the biggest improvement since starting at the college level. “A lot of weight training, getting my [velocity] up to where it should be for the next level, I’ve made probably a 10 mph jump in the last two years and that has really helped my development.” Marks won’t return to Lake Land in the fall; he’ll transfer to Division II Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill. Marks by no means believes his pitching arsenal is perfect and is looking to improve his off-speed pitches during his time with the Oilmen. He says consistency with those pitches will take his game to the next level and get himself ready for Division II baseball at Lewis. The No. 1 thing he hopes to achieve during his time with The Oilmen is to gain attention while doing what he loves. “Hopefully some looks by some scouts and just having fun continuing what I like to do, not many kids get this opportunity,” Marks explained. Marks is joining the defending MCL champion Oilmen and will look to play a big part in a repeat in 2017. |