COLUMBUS -- When one is 6-6 it is hard not to be noticed.

But with a program full of outstanding arms, Shea Murray was not needed on the mound at Defiance High School, rather to chase down baseballs in the outfield.

It didn't stop the 2012 DHS graduate from giving a shot at pitching once out of high school and that decision has worked out quite well. Murray has made the Ohio State baseball team as a walk-on pitcher this fall.

"I threw 10 to 15 innings with the (Napoleon) River Bandits and also worked in the summer with the Defiance baseball club strictly pitching," Murray explained. "I got down to Columbus for school and got word when tryouts were going to be held. I impressed them at tryouts and the rest is history."

Coming from a high school program known for its pitching, the Buckeyes took notice of Murray, who played in high school with standout pitchers like Dace Kime (Louisville), Anthony Kidston (Louisville) and Robert Zeigler (Kentucky signee).

"Coach (Greg) Beals (OSU head coach) called me the day after tryouts to come in for a meeting," Murray noted. "He started by congratulating me that I made the team and they hoped I was as excited to work with them as they are with me."

During tryouts Murray ran a 60 and threw a bullpen session, hitting 89-91 on the radar gun.

"They asked me and one other kid to throw again," Murray said of the 45-minute tryout.

Murray, along with another pitcher and one catcher, were then chosen to join the Buckeyes for fall ball.

"He (Beals) sent a mass email the next day and said he needed to meet the following numbers (each person at the tryout was assigned a number)," Murray reflected. "Then he called me. I was in his office within 15 minutes."

Not bad for somebody that did not toe an inning on the mound for the tradition-rich Bulldogs.

"At the end of the spring season during our tournament run we were out of games (allowed to play) between districts and regionals," Murray said. "We were going to do an intrasquad game and I asked coach if I could throw."

The Booster Field scoreboard radar gun clocked Murray at 86-88 mph.

"He's a kid as a freshman we thought could get to 90," DHS baseball coach Tom Held admitted. "He had athletic ability, a live arm and size. But being a three-sport athlete he wasn't able to focus on that part of the game. Instead, we all benefited and got a piece of him for three seasons."

Murray played outfield for the Defiance baseball team while also starting in basketball and soccer for the Bulldogs.

But this summer his thoughts turned to trying to make a name for himself as a pitcher.

"This summer I was consistently 84-86, maybe touching 87 or 88," Murray explained. "I did a lot of workouts with coach Held with a lot of core stuff and long toss and that helped get my speed up.

"I also had to develop a curve since I had never pitched before. Finally (River Bandits) coach (Shane) Coleman gave me my first pitching assignment in Chillicothe."

Murray ended up throwing 152/3 innings for the River Bandits, striking out 24, walking 19 and hitting five batters. He had a 1-1 record with a 9.84 ERA in his first time on the mound since doing some hurling in Little League and junior high.

"He took long toss serious this spring," Held said of Murray's improved arm strength his senior year. "He partnered up with AK (Kidston) and he benefitted from that.

"I knew if he hit 90 there's not a Division I school in the country that wouldn't take notice. He's 6-6 and athletic. His best days are ahead of him, he just has to get some experience."

That is taking place right now with Ohio State in the midst of a Scarlet and Gray intrasquad series.

"Everyone will get some innings," Murray said of the series that takes place this week. "All of the pitchers will throw at least once, probably twice."

While pitching for some is old hat, Murray realizes there's much to learn.

"I've worked a lot on developing my mechanics and trying to use my height and body the best I can," the Ohio State freshman said about what he's worked on since making the squad. "I've done a lot of strength stuff and worked in the weight room.

"We're doing a lot of team stuff here in the fall until Oct. 15, then it will be more individual stuff."

With 35 roster spots available in the spring and 39 on the current fall roster, Murray understands there's plenty of work ahead.

"Four guys will be cut after the fall season," Murray said. "I don't think redshirting me is out of the possibility. My Air Force ROTC scholarship can extend to five years."

And the DHS grad is hoping baseball is part of his future years in Columbus.

"This is pretty amazing," Murray said. "It's been a month and I'm getting used to it now. It's like any other practice except it's with players that have unbelievable talent. The field is unbelievable and there are so many resources.

"I still think of Air Force as my career path, with baseball I'm just chasing down a dream. But I'm going to try and chase it down for as long as I can."