LJ baseball: Pitching preview

Right-hander Koa Scott will stand
atop the mound for the Vikings
every Tuesday, as Coach Gary
Frank projects it.
(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Gavin Graff is going to start La Jolla's season opener against Oceanside Sat., Feb. 22, at 10:30 a.m. at home, coach Gary Frank announced.

"He's a Chris Young kind of guy," said the head coach Wed., Feb. 19, at the Vikings' baseball facility. "He's so much taller (6'4") than the average high school baseball player (Young is 6'10"), so he's coming down on them.

"If we had the technology to measure it, I think Gavin's spin rate would be high, too."

At this writing (Fri. morning, Feb. 21), rain is forecast much of the day Saturday. So the game might have to be scrapped. La Jolla does have an all-weather turf, so the game just may go on, even with precipitation.

Towering Gavin Graff, in his third year on varsity,
was projected to be La Jolla's starting pitcher
in the season opener Sat., Feb. 22, weather
permitting.

There is a method to the coach's madness in starting Graff Saturday. "That gets (fellow right-hander) Koa Scott into starting on Tuesday every week," he said.

"Like a pitching rotation?" asked a reporter. "Yes," said the veteran coach.

Asked if Scott is his ace, returning from a campaign in which he posted an outstanding 1.88 earned run average as a junior, Frank quickly answered, "He's one of them. We have several guys who will help lead us." He named Graff, lefties Hobie Hood, Luke Brunette, and Devin Brown, and righty Julian Zuniga in that group.

Frank's comments on his pitchers:

"Koa has good movement on his fastball. His bread-and-butter is movement on his fastball. He has a curve and change-up. He has a lot of poise on the mound. He wants to get every hitter out. The defense feeds off him. They stay alert because he's going to throw strikes."

Lefty Hobie Hood got a taste of
varsity ball last year, and is ready
to rock, says his coach.

"Gavin was a freshman when he started. He has great control of three pitches. He has good command. He uses both sides of the plate."

"Luke is stronger and is throwing harder."

"Hobie got his feet wet last year. He got his first taste of varsity. He's been working hard.

"He committed to Menlo Park. He has a good fastball with some run on it, with some movement. He has a good curve.. He has a really deceptive motion--he's all arms and legs in his delivery.

"His challenge is command of the strike zone."

"Devin Brown and Julian Zuniga were both pitchers for us last year. Both will come out of the 'pen for us this year."

Senior Luke Brunette "is stronger
and is throwing harder," according
to Frank.

Julian Zuniga has a lot of potential on the mound.