Xavier University Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2017
- Class:
- 1999
Lou Witte left his mark as one of the best hurlers in Xavier history, including the winningest pitcher in XU history. A winner. That's a great way to describe Witte. The record book has Witte with 35 career wins from 1996-99, which is nine more than his closest competitor. He holds the single-season record for wins with 12 as a sophomore in 1997. His senior season he won 10 games, which is tied for the second-highest total in XU history. Witte's winning ways earned him a spot on the Atlantic 10 Conference First Team as a sophomore (1997) and a senior (1999). In addition to his A-10 First Team honors, Witte was named 1997 A-10 Pitcher of the Year and earned a spot on the 1997 A-10 All-Championship Team.
Witte's impact on the XU record books went beyond individual wins. Witte still holds the Xavier career records for strikeouts (345), complete games (36) and innings pitched (402.2). He also holds the single-season XU records for strikeouts (107), complete games (12) and innings pitched (123.2), all from the 1997 campaign when he led XU to a then-school record 32 wins. Witte was drafted in the 12th round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft by the New York Yankees.
