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Pitching Tandem Propels Panthers: Rodriguez, Downing Give Carolina Forest a 1-2 Punch on Mound

Posted on: Wednesday, 29 March 2006, 12:00 CST

By Travis Sawchik, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Mar. 29--Carolina Forest No. 1 starting pitcher Paul Rodriguez rested in right field earlier this month against St. James, waiting out of the spotlight for his turn in the rotation.

That he was not needed to move in from right field to secure a victory with his whip of a right arm helped prove the Panthers are not totally dependent upon his mid-80s fastball and mastery of two offspeed pitches and illustrated the strength of the team.

While Rodriguez was playing in the outfield, junior Alex Downing shut out St. James with seven strikeouts in a 2-0 win. It has been a common occurrence this season. Even after suffering a 7-0 loss Tuesday at Dillon, the Panthers' 1-2 pitching punch has helped the team build an 11-3 record (5-1 in the region).

"Pitching is our strength." Carolina Forest coach Jack Jolly said. "Paul has experience. He had a difficult season last year. He went out and worked out hard in the offseason ... Alex is confident and cool."

Both Rodriguez and Downing, are dark-haired, rail-thin right-handed pitchers who work off their fastballs to set up quality offspeed pitches.

Through Monday, Rodriguez had struck out 47 in 31 innings of work. Downing is 2-3 with a 2.57 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 30 innings. The twin hurlers may be enough to lift the Panthers to their second region title in three years -- and deep into the playoffs.

Carolina Forest is ranked No. 5 in Class AAA in the latest S.C. Baseball Coaches Association poll that was released last week.

"Last year, everybody expected us to be good," Rodriguez said. "This year, we were flying under the radar."

Carolina Forest opened last season ranked in the coaches' top 10 poll, and Downing felt the team might have been affected by the preseason pressure. This year, he believes the Panthers are better prepared to wear the target and deal with on-the-field pressures.

That composure is one part personality and one part coaching. If the Panthers do fall into a rare jam, pitching coach Doug Soles can quell a rally with a quick visit to the mound.

"He will just kind of joke around and get me to smile," Downing said of the conversations.

The Carolina Forest coaches also simulate pressure situations in practice in an effort to prepare the pitchers for game intensity.

While the pitching and pressure is being handled, the coaches would also like to work on creating more runs in practice.

It is a necessity as Panthers play small ball, having hit only one home run this season, relying on pitching and defense to win games.

But in a year in which Region VII-AAA is loaded with inexperience, the champion will likely not have to be dominant in every facet of the game.

"Last year, the region was tough as it has ever been, it was senior laden," Jolly said. "Some people say the baseball isn't as good this year ... But the region is just as competitive this year with the younger players."

And the Panthers like to believe with their 1-2 punch they own a competitive advantage over the young field.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Sun News (Myrtle Beach, S.C.)

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