Ewig earns Pitcher of the Week honors

Robert T Sanders

Special to the Village News

What does a five-year-old boy have in common with a college senior? When your name is Jordan Ewig, it's one in the same. Ewig knew what he wanted to do when he grew up. And today, as a college senior soon to graduate, he's never wavered from that goal. He wants to play professional baseball.

His baseball resume started in Fallbrook at age 5 with Fallbrook Pony T-Ball, then progressed to Pony Pinto All-Stars, Mustang All-Stars, and Bronco All-Stars, which was part of the San Diego County Division championship team. At ages 13-14, he played for the Fallbrook Pony Allstars. In high school, he played outfield, first base, and occasionally pitched for the Warriors. He was part of the team that defeated Mission Vista during the CIF high school baseball match up held at Petco Park on April 25, 2016.

During the high school off season, Ewig played with Greg Posien's RIP team –Raising Individual Performance. Poisen, who is a scout for the Padres, taught Ewig work-out programs to improve his strength and skills. "Jordie is one of a kind. He definitely has a 'get after it' mindset," Poisen said.

After high school, Ewig played for the Eagles at Mt. San Jacinto College. The following summer, he pitched in the Prospect League for the Springfield Sliders, after which he was offered a scholarship to pitch for Salem University in West Virginia. In 2018, he moved back home when San Diego Mesa College recruited him.

A year later, Ewig was awarded a scholarship to pitch for the Hillcats at Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma. His first year, he was used as a relief pitcher. He played in only three games before the season was shut down due to Covid. In 2021, he was used in 28 innings and recorded 5 saves.

Ewig has always had a strong work ethic. While most of his teammates work out once a day, he does so twice a day. This dedication has started to pay off. In 2022, Ewig was switched from his reliever role to a starter.

So far this year, Ewig has started 11 games and is 5-3. He's proved to be the workhorse on the team; in 5 games he threw more than 100 pitches. His fastball is in the low 90s, and he mixes things up with cutters, curves, sliders, and changeups. On March 12, Ewig was dominant in the Hillcats 11-0 victory over Fort Hays State. He pitched a complete game 1-hit shutout, striking out 15 batters, which is the most in the Hillcats division II era, and the second most in school history.

For his effort, he was named pitcher of the week by both the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Central Region.

Ewig has been fortunate to have had Jonathon "Pepe" Soto as his catcher for almost every year since they were 8. "I've been lucky to have Pepe catch me for the past 14 years. We're always on the same page. Our close communication has helped me in so many ways to reach my potential." Soto has like words for his battery mate. "Jordie throws strikes and changes speeds. And because he likes to work fast; the batter doesn't have time to think what's coming next."

Ewig is currently listed among the top 10 leaders in the MIAA for ERA, innings pitched, strike outs, and wins.

What's next after graduation? "I'd like to continue in baseball in some area. Obviously, my goal has always been to play professional baseball. If that's not in the cards, maybe coach kids. Right now, though, I'm just trying to help the Hillcats make the tournament in May."