By David Fleet
Editor
Ithaca, NY — Noah Keller shined as a four year starter for the Goodrich Martian Varsity Baseball team.
That same brilliance is now showing as a collegiate.
Keller, a freshman left-handed pitcher for the Cornell University Big-Red was stellar in the rubber match of a three-game series with Yale, tallying his first collegiate win and a series victory over the Bulldogs.
Keller, who garnered his first collegiate quality start, and fellow freshman pitcher Carson Mayfield halted Yale’s offense in the nightcap as Cornell pounded out 12 hits en route to a 7-5 triumph. Sophomore Ryan Porter earned the save for the Big Red (2-13, 2-1 Ivy League).
Following the victory on March 26, Keller commented on pitching in the Division 1 college level at Cornell.
“As a pitcher, the biggest difference going from high school to college is the one through four hitters are solid in high school,” said Keller. “Here in college the entire lineup, 1-9 are tough.”
Keller added that the designated hitter rule in college has a big impact on his game.
“The win felt refreshing, I went four starts without a win and was getting close going four and two-thirds innings. I had a feeling about the Yale game that I’d go six (innings).”
Keller said his fastball was 88-90 mph over the weekend.
“I hit 92 mph over the summer,” he said. “But velocity gets you recruited, while ball control gets you wins.”
As a senior at Goodrich, Keller played 75.2 innings, recording 150 strikeouts, with a .37 ERA, and a .7 whip. Also, he had a .407 batting average with a .512 on base percentage. Over his career he was a three time All Conference selection, two time First Team All State and made the 2022 MHSAA All State Dream Team. He was named one of the top five pitchers in the state.
Veteran Hall of Fame Goodrich Varsity Baseball Coach Bob Foreback said Keller was one of the smartest and most competitive players he has ever coached.
“Noah owns a host of GHS’s pitching records and is the only MHSBCA Dream Team Member,” said Foreback. “The Dream Team is a team made up of the best players from all four all state teams which means he was the best of the best.”