Big-game arm

By Michael A. Cummings
michaelc@cullmantimes.com

May 13, 2008 12:05 am

— Craig Kimbrel knows a bit about pitching in high-pressure games.
Kimbrel, Wallace State’s starter Monday night against Shelton State in the second round of the ACCC baseball tournament, was the pitcher of record two seasons ago when his high school team was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.
“That didn’t turn out that well,” Kimbrel said of Lee-Huntsville’s loss to Huntsville High in the 2006 playoffs.
And even though he contributed two homers of his own in that series, Kimbrel said it was an experience that helped him learn how to be a big-game pitcher. Now in his sophomore season at Wallace, the University of Alabama signee said he revels in the big game atmosphere.
“The pressure, I mean it’s all on you,” said Kimbrel as the Lions prepared last week for Wallace’s win over L.B. Wallace. “I like that. Last week, before the game started, I knew we weren’t going to lose. It just wasn’t going to happen.”
The game Kimbrel was referring to was Wallace’s 11-1 win over Calhoun, a win that clinched the second seed in the ACCC Tournament. With that second seed, the Lions were able to take a day off Sunday after winning their tournament opener Saturday.
And since coach Randy Putman turned to Will Rankin as his game one starter, Kimbrel was available to pitch in the second round.
After the win over Calhoun, Kimbrel said the team became focused on winning the tournament — and an invitation to the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colo. The team has been so focused, Kimbrel added, that the players have carried an intensity not seen yet this season.
“Being at your home field is pretty big,” he said. “You don’t want to see anyone dog pile on your field.”
Keeping the other teams from celebrating on the field could be a responsibility placed mostly on Kimbrel’s shoulders. Before Rankin’s solid start last weekend, Putman’s team had relied on Kimbrel as it’s only consistent starter.
As Wallace’s top starter, Kimbrel learned two new pitches this season. Last season, Kimbrel said he relied on a strong fastball — never really throwing a solid second pitch. But before the season began, he added a slider and a curve to his repertoire.
“Last year, I didn’t really have a second pitch,” Kimbrel said. “I just threw it by people.
“Coach helped out a little, and I picked up things from the other pitchers on the team,” he added. “I’m locating (the slider) now better than I was.”
With three pitches in his arsenal, Kimbrel has been attracting the attention of some professional scouts. But he said he doesn’t let the spotlight bother him.
“A little,” he said when asked whether the scouts made him nervous. “But I’ve gotten used to it. They’re motivation — they’re always out there.”
This week in the tournament, Kimbrel said the intensity should stay where it’s been over the past week.
“The intensity is up. It could be the last game for a lot of guys,” said Kimbrel, who added he’d wait for the Major League draft to decide what he’ll do after this season. “A good way to go out is winning.”