For Wichita State baseball fans still depressed over the stunning loss to Arkansas in an NCAA regional, here's a welcome cure: Spend the off-season envisioning Mike Pelfrey throwing heat from a soon-to-be million-dollar right arm, and Kris Johnson tossing nasty stuff with his left.
To be sure, the season ended in frustrating fashion when the Shockers, needing just one victory to advance to a Super Regional, lost two straight games to the Razorbacks in Fayetteville to end the season with a 49-16 record. But there's ample reason to look ahead with optimism, starting with that righty-lefty combo of Pelfrey and Johnson. Pitching coach Brent Kemnitz '80 is always ready and willing to talk about his staff, and he's particularly excited about the potential of the returning duo. "They should be as good as any 1-2 in the nation," he says. "They won't take a backseat to anybody."
Pelfrey followed an outstanding freshman season — 10-2 with a 2.49 era — with another impressive year. The Wichita native went 11-2 with a 2.18 ERA, earning the MVC Pitcher of the Year award and second-team All-American honors from Collegiate Baseball. "I wouldn't trade Mike for any pitcher in the nation," Kemnitz says. "He's one of those guys that you can give him the ball and then take the day off."
At 6 feet 7 and armed with a fastball in the mid-90s, Pelfrey is often overpowering. He struck out 125 batters in 115 1/3 innings, walking only 24, and opponents hit just .210 against him.
on a great fastball. He also throws an effective
breaking ball, a good change and knows how to work
the hitters.
During WSU's regional victory over Missouri, a hot-hitting team that had scored 78 runs in its previous eight games, Pelfrey showed off the talent that will likely make him a high pick in the Major League Baseball draft after next season. MU's once-hot offense was smothered by Pelfrey, who struck out a career-high 14 and allowed only four hits in 8 2/3 innings in WSU's 3-0 opening-round win.
"He was in total command," Kemnitz says. "The big talk coming in was how Missouri was the hottest team in the Big 12, how they'd been scoring runs at will. Mike totally silenced their bats — complete dominance."
Johnson Matures Quickly
Johnson was selected in the 50th round of the 2003 MLB draft, and Kemnitz says the big league club made a run at signing the lefty late last summer. But Johnson stuck with his commitment to collegiate baseball.
A California native who attended high school in Blue Springs, Mo., Johnson stood out among several talented Shocker newcomers by going 7-0 with a team-low 2.01 ERA. Like Pelfrey last season, he was named a freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball.
Kemnitz says Johnson throws in the 88-92 mph range with a good change-up and curveball. But Kemnitz, who stresses that his pitchers have a "bulldog mentality," is most pleased with Johnson's improved mound presence. Early in the season, his bad body language led to problems. Kemnitz explains, "Something bad would happen, and his mannerisms would show it."
Johnson says Shocker head coach Gene Stephenson discussed the problem with him after his second outing. "Gene pulled me over and basically said my presence on the mound looked weak," he recalls. "I worked on it, and by the end of the season I got my best presence. I just didn't let stuff affect me as much. If I gave up a walk or a hit, I would go right after the next batter."
That new attitude showed in a regional game against Arkansas when Johnson, facing the home team in front of the notoriously rowdy Razorback fans, pitched 6 2/3 solid innings, allowing two earned runs while striking out seven. WSU won the game 4-3 on Drew Moffitt's 11th-inning homer, moving the team just one victory away from capturing the regional title. "That was the biggest game of my life," Johnson says. "I had all my pitches working. I was locating my fastball, using my curveball a lot." Says Kemnitz, "He was totally unaffected by a hostile environment. For a freshman, it was just outstanding."
Well-Armed for 2005
While Pelfrey and Johnson should form an imposing 1-2 punch, there will be numerous other capable pitchers on the staff, although several are battling back from health problems.
No. 2 starter Steve Uhlmansiek (7-0, 2.85), if he doesn't go pro, will likely be back for his junior year after suffering a season-ending elbow injury. Senior-to-be Mat Jakubov, the No. 3 starter who suffered from what Kemnitz describes as "mysterious" arm tightness, is expected to return. Noah Booth, who showed promise as a freshman, is recovering from arm surgery and a torn Achilles tendon.
"And there are a lot of other guys," Kemnitz adds. Guys like junior Jereme Foster (6-2, 3.14) and sophomores Danny Jackson (two saves), Adam Bengtson, Derek Roach, Jared Simon and Kyle Touchatt.
"We should have great front-line guys, great depth, a good incoming class," Kemnitz says. "We're really excited. Going in, it should be the best pitching staff in the nation."
