Zach Farmer Dies At 21: Pitcher On The Ohio State Baseball Team Succumbed To Leukemia


Zach Farmer, a pitcher for the Ohio State baseball team, succumbed to Leukemia. He was just 21.

The Ohio State athletics department announced Buckeyes baseball player Zach Farmer died fighting Leukemia. Confirming the news on its official athletics site, Ohio State vice president and director of athletics Gene Smith praised Farmer’s fighting spirit that gave inspiration to all.

“We are saddened by the loss of Zach. He was a remarkable young man who inspired us all. He made a tremendous impact on many lives and showed incredible courage in his fight. We send our heartfelt condolences to Zach’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

Zach Farmer was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in April last year. However, after a year of medication and therapy, Farmer temporarily won a reprieve from the degenerative disease. Doctors confirmed his cancer had gone into remission. But the joy of winning over cancer was short-lived, as the aspiring baseball player announced the disease’s return on July 15.

Despite the prognosis, Zach Farmer married his long-time girlfriend, Kelsie, in his home-town Piketon, Ohio, reported MSN. Had it not been for leukemia, Zach Farmer’s path to baseball glory was all but assured. In just 10 appearances, Farmer had started nine times. Zach was 6-4 and commanded 3.28 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 49.1 innings pitched for the Scarlet and Gray, reported 10TV. With his pitches, he successfully held opposing hitters to a.234 batting average.

Zach passed away at The James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University. Admiring the rarely seen courage and positive attitude displayed by Zach Farmer, the head baseball coach Greg Beals, shared as follows.

“Today is a sad day but also a day of peace for Zach and his family. We will dearly miss our fellow Buckeye, teammate and friend Zach Farmer. I feel blessed to have had Zach in our program and the opportunity to coach him. Although his time here was cut short, his legacy as a Buckeye will be long lasting. I am proud of the fight he fought – we learned so much from him. Zach’s courage to fight, positive attitude and love for his supporters and teammates defines what it means to be a Buckeye.”

Zach Farmer has been an inspiration. Despite his terminal illness that was bound to take his life, he fought on to help raise awareness for the Be The Match bone marrow registry. Many of his teammates and members of the Buckeyes sports community expressed condolences on social media and mourned the passing of a promising player, who bravely fought Leukemia and inspired others.

[Image Credit: Kevin Dye / BSB via Scout]

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