Meet Andrew Lane
Jan. 22, 2004
Meet Andrew Lane
Left Handed Pitcher
Sophomore — Miami, Florida
by Tracy Gale
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – Growing up in Miami, sophomore pitcher Andrew Lane attended Hurricane baseball games. A lot of games.
“I would get to at least twenty games a year at Mark Light Stadium. I’d go to watch J. D. Arteaga, Kris Clute and Brian Walker. Brian Walker is probably my all-time favorite Hurricane player, I just loved watching him pitch.”
Lane was looked at by Virginia Tech, Maryville College and Mercer. Although he wasn’t offered a “full ride” (athletic scholarship) to any school, his grades were getting him some academic scholarship offers. While he was considering his options, UM Baseball Coach Gino DiMare came to one of Killian’s games. With an opportunity to stay home and play for his beloved hometown ‘Canes, the decision was simple for Lane.
“I wasn’t offered an athletic scholarship to Miami. But I get some financial aid assistance and scholarship money. Coach DiMare told me I could come to UM and be a ‘preferred walk-on.’ I definitely had to earn my spot on the team, but I didn’t have to wait for walk-on tryouts. The first day the team reported was my first day, too.”
Lane’s memories of being a kid hanging out at Mark Light Stadium include watching the technique of pitchers he wanted to be like. But other memories stand out, too, like listening to longtime PA announcer Jay “Jay Ro” Rokeach. He also remembers a particularly intense FSU-Miami series:
“When FSU had [future #1 draft pick] J.D. Drew, my friend climbed up to the top of the parking garage behind right field. He had a sign, ‘J.D. Drew: Hit it Here’, which he waved when Drew was at the plate. But [longtime Mark Light Stadium security guard] Bob Pritchard chased him down!”
Lane is a relief pitcher Hurricane fans can count on. But he hasn’t always pitched. Growing up playing ball at the Kendall Boys and Girls Club and later in local leagues, Andrew played infield and first base. When he got to high school, Coach Manny Fernandez needed a lefty pitcher and the call went to Lane.
Lane was part of some very successful Killian High School teams, where he was a three-year letterman, team co-captain and a second-team All-Dade County Selection. As much as Lane enjoyed success on the baseball diamond, he is most proud of earning Killian’s Scholar-Athlete Award his senior year. When asked what he learned him from his high school baseball career, Lane says he got some great advice from Coach Fernandez.
“Coach always said, ‘Trust in yourself. If you want to do something then go for it-and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t.”
Now looking forward to his sophomore season as a Hurricane, Lane says he has big expectations for himself.
“I want to be more consistent out of the bullpen. I have to be, because I want the team to depend on me. I also want to have an ERA under 2.00, and I want to finish the season with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3:1.”
Lane says the team is really focused and ready for the 2004 season, and he has a theory why the ‘Canes are so successful.
Also an artist, Lane designed his own tatoo.
“We are definitely stronger than last year, but we have the same focus every year-Omaha-and I think the reason we are so strong is because we are like brothers. We’re all really close. That’s why we are so good year after year.”
In 2003 Lane appeared in 13 games, pitching a total of 18 innings. He posted 10 strikeouts and allowed 11 walks. Perhaps his best stat is that opposing hitters could only manage a .219 batting average off of him. After his freshman year when Lane was a surprise coming on relief, his teammates and coaches know what he can do, and the Hurricane opponents better be ready!
The Hurricane Hot Seat
1. Major: Accounting
2. Class you have taken so far that has surprised you:Psychology
3. What, besides being a member of the baseball team, has been the best thing so far about attending the University of Miami?I think continuing the legacy of my parents. Both my parents attended UM.
4. On that rare occasion when you are not thinking about baseball, what do you like to do?Surf! I like to hit the road, drive up to Jupiter and surf. I also love to draw. I attended an arts magnet program in middle school. Right now I am drawing tattoo designs for some of my teammates.
5. If you won the Lotto what would be the first thing you’d buy?I’d take my mom shopping for a new car.
6. What road trip have you enjoyed the most and why?I’d have to say playing up at Florida. Not because I played-I didn’t get in a game! But there are three guys from my high school team playing for UF, and I know a lot of people who go to school there. They all came to our games. At least they got to see me run on to the field with the team!
7. Favorite food:Sushi! I love it! We get together, maybe nine or 10 guys from the team, and we go to the all-you-can-eat sushi place in the Gables!
8. If you could pitch to one person in baseball history, whom would you pitch to?Ted Williams. I’d like to face the best.
