May 26, 2000

Blue Jacket's weapon, the left-handed hurler

By Matt Steiner
Sports Writer

When asked about the Division IV regional semifinal at Lima Bath Friday, both New Riegel coach Dave Uitto and Riverdale coach Pat Weber can agree on these words spoken by Uitto, "Good pitching will shut down good offense."

Uitto talks of this cliche with a sense of cool confidence. That's no coincidence. The Blue Jacket coach will have a significant weapon on the mound when they square off against Riverdale.

Senior Keith Laughlin is a left-handed hurler whose repertoire is full of pitches that could bend their way around dead man's curve. He has struck out 93 batters in 54 innings and has an 8-1 record with a 1.04 ERA. No wonder Bowling Green State University made it a point to add him to their 2001 staff.

"It's nice to have a pitcher like Keith," Uitto said. "He's got good control and a lot of pitches. He's been around the game a long time. He studies it. To go along with his physical ability he's pretty heady."

Weber, on the other hand, seems a little concerned when talking about the challenge which Laughlin presents.

"We've seen everything except the pitcher," Weber said. "We haven't seen one this good this year. He's an exceptional pitcher."

However, Riverdale has an arsenal of hitters who might be able to tame the arm of Laughlin. Four Falcons average over .350. Junior Jake Larbus leads the way, hitting .424.

Shortstop Travis Weber (.373), catcher Micah Frey (.361) and designated hitter Ben Larbus (.355) round out the quartet. Weber, Frey and Ben Larbus have some power to go along with their steady averages. Weber has clubbed six homers in 2000, while Frey and Ben have four and three home runs, respectively.

Weber definitely feels that the strength of his team is at the plate and he hopes to have his big hitters ready for the Blue Jacket lefty. However, the coach echoes Uitto's cliche.

"We have had a couple of ex-college, left-handed pitchers coming in to pitch batting practice," the Falcon coach said. "But, if we do face a lefty, nobody's like (Laughlin). Good pitching always stops good hitting."

Riverdale will counter Laughlin with an ace of their own. Jake Larbus not only leads the Falcons in hitting, but he comes in with a 9-1 record with 52 strikeouts in 11 games. His 3.24 ERA lacks a little when compared with Laughlin. But to his credit, the Falcon hurler did throw a no-hitter against Liberty-Benton in the sectional final (1-0).

Uitto characterizes New Riegel as a team that isn't too flashy, but is decent in all three phases of the game.

"We catch the ball most of the time," Uitto said. "Our pitchers throw strikes, and we have got a good batting average."

The third hitter in the lineup, Brett Hammer, heads up the Blue Jacket offense with 29 RBIs and a .493 average.

Leadoff hitter Dereck Uitto (.378), Jon Kauffman (.373) and catcher Ron Shellhammer (.350) join Hammer as Blue Jacket regulars hitting at least .350.

The difference between New Riegel and Riverdale comes with the long ball. While the Falcons seem to be able to hit it regularly, the entire Blue Jackets have just five this year.

As for the third phase of the game, NR is confident with Laughlin on the mound.

"Every time he takes the mound we feel pretty good," Uitto said. "We generally play good defense behind him. They're ready to help. The thing we worry about last is offense."

Riverdale enters the game 16-5, which includes the no-hit victory over Liberty-Benton in the sectionals, a 13-4 drubbing of Hardin Northern in the district semis and a come-from-behind victory over Ottawa Hills in the district finals. The Falcons scored five runs in the final inning to win the championship, proving they can look adversity in the face and come out on top.

However, Friday, the adversity may come in the form of a crafty lefty named Laughlin.