To average one walk allowed every 18 1/3 innings for a career would be a remarkable achievement in itself.
For first three-time CIF-Southern Section baseball player of the year Rick Stewart, that’s what he averaged for runs allowed – 14 earned runs in 258 innings – for his career at Fillmore High.
With Stewart toeing the rubber, the Flashes won three consecutive section titles.
From 1975-77, Stewart had one command performance after another.
Forty-six years later, his stats still rank among all-time section and state bests with five no-hitters, 432 career strikeouts (1.7 per inning), 0.16 ERA as a junior, 39-2 career won-loss record, and an exceptional 17-0 record to close out his high school career in 1977 – a prevailing best unbeaten season baseball performance in stat history.
Sports Illustrated selected Stewart as the recipient of its “Award of Merit”, Prep Sports Magazine named Stewart to its 1977 All-American baseball team. He was awarded the William N. Nelson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Academics and Athletics.
Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, Stewart opted to accept a scholarship at Oral Roberts University,
Stewart was an immediate success, setting freshman program records for innings pitched (91) and wins (10), helping his team secure a 1978 Division I regional championship and a trip to the College World Series.
He was the team leader in ERA (2.52) in 1979 and saves in 1980.
The four-year letterman won 73 percent of his decisions.
Success followed Stewart in his post-playing career as well.
He led Bakersfield Christian to its first girls soccer league title, McKinney Christian Academy to a girls golf state title and Austin College to its first conference baseball title. He has also coached cross country, football and basketball.
Stewart has faithfully served as a teacher, coach and youth pastor and volunteered with numerous community organizations.
He and his wife of 43 years Mary Martha, reside in McKinney, Texas. Their daughter Christa, husband Taylor and child Palmer reside nearby in Dallas.