ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: West Orange Times: Casey Lemke

Could you tell us about your no-hitter?

I really didn't start thinking about what was going on. ... We thought it was a great chance because they're a local rival school in all other sports. We had everyone here from both sides … probably about a hundred people tailgating in the parking lot – grills and everything – so it was really a great game to be there, and I was honored to throw for that game. I got to the last inning and said, “All right, Coach, I want it. I got this. Let me got out there and win this for us.” I went out there and didn't even think. (Afterward) I was like, “Wait, no one got a hit. I knew there was an error and a walk, but no one hit off me. That's kind of crazy.” That's my first time doing it, and I have to give … credit to … all of my defense – that was the best game they ever played. That was the game I knew we truly came together and played the best defensively.

How did you get into baseball?

Well, it's always been in my family, because my grandfather played and coached at Florida State; my uncle played at Florida State. So as soon as I was of age, they put me in the YMCA and said, “All right, you're going to try baseball.” I said, “OK. Might as well.” My family was always encouraging me to work harder, and they were always there for me when I needed something.

Did you inherit pitching from your family, too?

My family, they were shortstops and first base, but … when Little League started and I was blowing it by kids and throwing curve balls – probably wasn't smart at a young age to throw curve balls – when I found out I actually have a knack for it, I was like, “This is for me.” And so I stuck with it through all my years. I went through different pitching coaches, and finally I can figure out if I have a problem with my pitching ... how to adjust to the scenario.

Were you thinking of going to FSU?

I wanted to, but I wanted to go somewhere that I know I would play my freshman year. Florida State's a really good school, so I'm going to play at a school up in Vermont, Norwich University.

How did you end up picking that school?

I had a recruiting site, so I had schools from anywhere from Missouri to the upper peninsula of Michigan contacting me. I was really fortunate to find this school, though. I went up and visited a couple months ago, loved all the coaches, loved the scenery and everything, and I found that was the best fit for me.

What do you want to study at Norwich?

I'm going to end up double-majoring … in accounting and economic financial management, because there's only two different classes. I thought the business side is always going to be needed. You're always going to need lawyers and doctors, but you're also going to need people at desks and working hard throughout the company that not everyone sees. I want to come back after my four years and work at Disney. That's where my mom works.

So are you a Disney fan?

More of a Universal kind of guy, but I love going to the parks. The roller coasters are so much better there.

You have said you're interested in photography. What piqued that?

I had to take it for a class here, and I have an old camera at my house, so I was like, “Might as well just mess around with it.” It turned out it's pretty fun, once you get really into it. I would say it's my favorite class here. I learned a lot through it. I'm hoping to continue it at Norwich, doing yearbook and hopefully getting better at it along the way.

What is your favorite MLB player or team?

My uncle's a scout for the Giants, so I'd have to say that's one of my favorite teams. It's also nice watching them win every other year. I love Hunter Pence and his swing, because it's the ugliest swing I've ever seen, but it works every time. That's crazy. Matt Cain, he was a great pitcher. Lincecum, he's a good pitcher still; it's just they found him out pretty quick. Madison Bumgarner, he's amazing. I hated that they traded Pablo Sandoval. He's not even starting – that's what makes me mad.

– Zak Kerr