Auburn Tigers pitcher Dillon Ortman has had a busy week.
It started with a road trip to Kentucky, ended with a trip to Louisiana and between he split the SEC Freshman of the Week honors with Dominic Ficociello of Arkansas.
The Huntsville native, in his first collegiate season, is adjusting nicely to the new level of competition.
"He's performed pretty well, even early in the season," said assistant coach Scott Foxhall. "He earned the right to get more innings, and that's what's happened as of late."
Ortman was a three-sport athlete in high school, playing baseball, football and basketball until he shifted his focus entirely to baseball after his sophomore year. Although he no longer plays, Ortman said his favorite sport is still football.
"Football is my favorite; baseball is my second," Ortman said. "I felt baseball would be my best chance to get a scholarship and go to the place I want to play, Auburn."
Ortman followed his father's footsteps when he chose to come to Auburn as well as when choosing his major, business.
With one semester under his belt, Ortman said he understands the academic challenge that Auburn University presents and does his best to juggle all of his responsibilities.
"It's a lot different," Ortman said. "The hours studying, the hours playing baseball, there's not many hours in the day where I can just chill and relax."
During his downtime, Ortman spends his time relaxing with roommate and fellow freshman Tyler Dial.
"I just like to hang out with friends," Ortman said. "We'll just watch TV or talk baseball."
While not too superstitious, Ortman makes sure to stick to his pregame routine before running out of the bullpen.
"Before I come into the game, I always throw a strike," Ortman said. "So I finish on a strike, and hopefully start the game on a strike. If it's not a strike, I would stay in there. I might hold up the game a little bit, but I at least got to throw a strike before I go in there."
Even though it's early in his career, Foxhall said Ortman has already earned a reputation for staying cool under pressure.
"If you walked in the gates, you wouldn't be able to tell if he's pitching great or pitching poorly," Foxhall said.
"He's a very humble guy, more of a laid back personality. I think that helps him on the mound; he's got ice water in his veins on the mound. He doesn't get too high if he strikes someone out; he doesn't get too low if he gives up a hit. I think that helps him focus on what he's trying to do with the next pitch."
A starting pitcher in high school, Ortman is adjusting to his new closing duties in college.
"It's very different; I enjoy it a lot though," Ortman said. "They say the last three outs in baseball are the hardest to get, so it's a good challenge; it's fun."
Despite the stress that comes along with assimilating to college life and increased difficulty in competition,
Ortman does not let the pressure get to him.
"Knowing that the team has your back, these guys are the best at what they do," he said. "Knowing that they have my back really takes pressure off of me."
When the tension does get to him, Ortman said he looks to senior catcher Tony Caldwell to ease the situation.
"Every time I come into the game, Tony always calms me down, gives me some kind of work advice and makes me laugh." Ortman said. "That'll help the pressure out there, just laugh and go have fun."
Ortman has not let the SEC Co-Freshman of the Week honor go to his head and remains hardworking and humble.
He and the team grind through the season toward their national championship aspirations.
Ortman and the Tigers take the next step on their journey this weekend at home against Ole Miss.
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