University of South Alabama Athletics

#45 - Chris LaGrow
LHP • L/L • 6-3 • 185 • Sr.-3L • Fort Wayne, Ind. (R. Nelson Snider HS)

Coach Kittrell on Chris LaGrow - "Chris LaGrow is a hard-throwing, left-handed pitcher with a good curveball, but he must command the strike zone. He has the potential to be one of our top pitchers."

Career Notes:  Ranks 13th in South Alabama history with eight career saves • Eight saves recorded during freshman season in 2007 are tied for seventh most in a single season at USA.

2009 (Junior):  Made 13 appearances on the mound, six of which were starts • Struck out 18 in 20.1 innings • Worked 5.2 innings over three outings without allowing a hit • Pitched a hitless inning against Baylor (3/6) • In first start of season, struck out four in 2.2 hitless innings against Memphis (3/11) • Struck out three in two hitless innings against Western Kentucky (3/14) • Allowed two runs and struck out three in 2.1 innings against Vanderbilt (3/17) • Worked a hitless inning against Arkansas State (3/27) • Got first win of season by allowing two runs in 4.1 innings of start against Auburn (4/14).

2008 (Sophomore):  Appeared in 11 games and made seven starts while working through injuries • Posted a 2-1 record with a 6.58 ERA • Struck out 22 batters in 26.0 innings of work • Moved into the starting rotation after spending the previous season as USA's closer • Picked up his first win of the season vs. Mississippi State (3/25), when he went 3.0 shutout innings in Jags 6-5 win • Pitched 1.0 scoreless inning vs. Auburn (4/16) • Combined on a shutout with 3.0 scoreless innings and four strikeouts vs. Jackson State (4/22) • Worked 1.1 scoreless innings of relief vs. Troy (5/17) • Set a career high with 4.0 innings pitched vs. Arkansas State (3/30) • Set career high for strikeouts in a game with five vs. Nicholls State (3/18) and vs. Arkansas State (3/30).

2007 (Freshman):  A dominant force in South Alabama's bullpen with eight saves as a true freshman • Tied for seventh-most saves in a single season at USA • Appeared in 21 games, making one start • Went 1-2 with a 3.03 ERA • Logged 29.2 innings pitched and struck out 28 batters • In first eight outings of season, never allowed more than two hits in an appearance • Surrendered just one earned run in first 11.0 innings over eight outings • Recorded saves in each of first two appearances, both vs. Mercer (2/16 & 2/17) • Picked up a save with 2.0 shutout innings vs. Connecticut (3/4) • In 12 outings in which he worked 1.0 inning or less, allowed just three earned runs • Allowed no earned runs in 14 of 21 outings • Had three strikeouts on three separate occasions • Allowed just four extra-base hits on the season. 

High School:  Prepped at R. Nelson Snider High School in Fort Wayne, Ind. • Lettered for the Panthers in cross country as a freshman and sophomore before switching to baseball for the final two seasons • Named to all-state and all-conference teams during his final season • Selected as an academic all-state performer and was named his team's defensive MVP • Holds Snider's career ERA record • Also holds records for strikeouts in both a season and career • Threw five no-hitters in high school • Went 8-0 with an ERA of 0.80 and 123 strikeouts as a senior • Invited to U.S. Junior Olympic Team tryouts.

Personal:  Born May 9, 1988 • Full name is Chris David LaGrow • Third of five children • Has a younger brother and sister, as well as two older sisters • Service Management major.

Career Highs
Innings:  4.1 vs. Auburn (4/14/09)
Long Start:  4.1 vs. Auburn (4/14/09)
Short Start:  0.0 vs. Nicholls State (4/7/09)
Long Relief:  3.0 vs. Jackson State (4/22/08)
Hits:  6 vs. Southern Miss (5/13/08)
Runs:  6 vs. Ole Miss (4/9/08)
Earned Runs:  5, twice
Walks:  6 vs. Florida Atlantic (4/6/08)
Strikeouts:  5, twice
Home Runs:  2 vs. Southern Miss (5/13/08)
Wild Pitches:  2 vs. Louisiana-Monroe (3/25/07)
Hit Batsmen:  2, twice