Being thrust into prominent roles hasn’t fazed Carmel freshman Josh Ouimette.
Defying considerable odds, Ouimette is actually making it look easy.
“Being here was the goal from the start,” he said. “It’s about knowing who I am and what I can be, trusting all the work I’ve put in. The guys have been really welcoming, and I’ve liked it a lot.”
Carmel coach Scott Anderson likes what Ouimette brings to the table.
“I usually don’t think about taking freshmen onto varsity, but he’s not a normal freshman,” Anderson said. “He’s about as levelheaded of a kid as I’ve coached in a while, and maybe what I’ve been impressed with most is his attitude. He’s fit in great.”
Ouimette has not only become the leadoff hitter for the Corsairs (8-6) but also earned a spot in the pitching rotation. He started the week batting .353 with a .429 on-base percentage, three doubles, eight RBIs and just three strikeouts, and he had a 2.76 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings of work on the mound.
But Ouimette, who hit 86 mph with his fastball during tryouts, made an impression on his teammates before he played his first game with them.
“What stood out right away was his confidence,” Carmel senior catcher Carson Hubert said. “Underclassmen are often sort of timid, but he’s not that way. When he’s on the field, he’s dialed in. He has a goal, and he pursues it.”
Ouimette began the season batting further down in the order. Moving to the leadoff spot, he took on a role that’s familiar to him from travel ball — and that he’s confident he can fulfill.
“I love leadoff because it gives me the opportunity to start the game off on a good note and get the team going,” he said. “I know I’m up there for a reason.”
Ouimette has the same conviction on the mound, where the left-hander has command of all three of his pitches.
“I have a lot of confidence in my pitching, and it’s my mindset that it’s you versus him and he can’t beat you,” Ouimette said. “My curve is probably my favorite pitch partly because I can throw it at any time no matter who the batter is. And if you have a bad start, you have to flush it, because if you don’t, it’ll just make it worse.”
That mindset came into play during Ouimette’s first pitching appearance for the Corsairs. He was summoned in relief with runners on second and third and no outs.
“I was nervous, but I knew I had to go out there and do my thing,” Ouimette said. “I walked the first guy to load the bases, but I struck out the next three. I was pumped after that, and the guys were excited for me.”
Ouimette, who has started two games since then and earned a win in his first East Suburban Catholic Conference start against St. Viator last week, is fortunate to be throwing to a third-year starting catcher. Hubert calls most of the team’s pitches, although Ouimette doesn’t hesitate to offer his opinion.
“I told him he pretty much has free rein over what he throws,” Hubert said. “He actually shakes me off quite a bit. We’re getting onto the same page more and more. But that just shows how confident he is in his abilities.”
Ouimette is beginning to draw attention outside the program. Anderson has been approached by multiple opposing coaches after games, all asking something like, “Is that the freshman?”
But Ouimette remains levelheaded, as Anderson said.
“I love this game, and the goal is to play it for as long as I can,” Ouimette said. “I try to take every day for what it is and play my heart out every game. Do everything at 100%, and I’m satisfied.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
