Price adjusting to next level

LIMA — To say that Landon Price left a mark on the Lincolnview baseball program, could be a huge understatement.

Price, a 2022 graduate of Lincolnview, was a back-to-back Division IV player of the year, a two-time state runner-up and a holder of 12 program school records (pitching and hitting) as a Lancer.

The left-handed Price finished his illustrious high school career with an impressive 24-1 pitching record, 0.92 earned-run average (ERA) and 355 strikeouts.

As a junior, Price posted a 0.17 ERA and struck out 162 batters in 80.2 innings pitched.

Price, who played his college freshman season (2023) at Ohio State, is now on the Lima Locos pitching staff.

However, at Ohio State, Price saw very limited action on the mound during his freshman season.

Price made just three appearances for the Buckeyes. He worked two innings, giving up two runs on six base hits, while striking out one and walking one with no decisions.

Now, a Lima Loco this summer, Price is focused on making the proper adjustments as he strives to progress at the college level.

“One of the biggest things, is being able to locate my off-speed pitches at any time, and at any (pitch) count,” Price said. “With how good these hitters are, it’s just really important to keep them off-balance with the curveball, change-up, and slider – all those different pitches that I throw. Just being able to throw strikes and keep them off-balance is the biggest thing that I’ve found out, so far.”

After one season at Ohio State, Price decided to enter the transfer portal. On Friday, he announced on Twitter he was heading to Ohio University.

“The coach there (at Ohio State) wasn’t the same coach that recruited me,” Price said. “So, as the season went on, that (decision to enter the transfer portal) is what I decided to do.

“I learned a lot at Ohio State. I met a lot of great people down there. I can’t thank the people enough, that were involved for the great times that I had.”

So far this summer, Price is 1-2 on the mound with a 4.84 ERA for the Locos.

Price has appeared in six games with four starts. In 26 innings, he has scattered 21 hits, struck out 19 and walked 16.

Price’s best pitching performance this summer for the Locos was his outing against the Michigan Monarchs on June 12, when the Locos won 4-1. Price worked four innings, allowed four hits, struck out six and walked three.

Price said that playing at the college level is totally different than playing in high school.

“It was definitely really tough. … Going into a school (Ohio State) with 50,000 students, was bit of a culture shock, coming from a small town, like I did,” Price said. “The biggest thing for me was just getting my work in on my own, like my personal work. I’m putting the work in every single day and trying to get one percent better every day.”

Lima Locos head coach Chad Ehrnsberger said it’s just a matter of Price being able to get ahead on the pitch-count.

“When Landon gets into trouble, it’s when he gets behind on the count. When he is ahead on the count and can locate his pitches, then he’s really, really good. We’re glad he is a Lima Loco.”

Price said that by the time he was an upperclassman in high school he realized playing Division I baseball would become a reality.

“I looked at myself – compared to some of the other guys – and thought that I can definitely make this thing happen and make my dream come true. It was a blessing that I had the opportunity (at Ohio State); and I’m continuing to pursue my opportunity.”

Price is appreciative of the opportunity the Locos have given him.

“It’s awesome. I can’t thank Coach Ehrnsberger enough for giving me the opportunity,” Price said. “I probably have 30 family members out here, every time I throw. It’s pretty neat for them to be able to come and support me. I feel the love, and it’s really awesome.”

As of July 6, the Locos were 17-7 and sitting in second place in the North Division of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.

Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.