Category | Sports

Owls’ Rodebaugh earns Pitcher of the Week

Published on April 27, 2010 by Ben Poplin

KSU starting pitcher junior Ryan Rodebaugh joined his teammate, freshman catcher Ronnie Freeman, this week when the Atlantic Sun Conference honored another Owl with a Player of the Week award.

Ryan Rodebaugh deliveres another award for KSU athletics. Photo by Greg Ranallo.

“I was excited,” Rodebaugh said. “Just to get that honor as a pitcher, it feels great.”

The A-Sun officials noticed Rodebaugh because of the game he pitched against KSU conference opponent, North Florida University, during which he yielded only one run on two hits while fanning six Ospreys.

“Ryan pitched a very good game for us,” Coach Mike Sansing said. “He set the tone with a solid outing.”

With this pitching performance, Rodebaugh earned his third win of the season, improving his overall record to 3-4.

“I have been working hard all season,” Rodebaugh said, “and I have been working on getting a rhythm.”

Rodebaugh has developed a rhythm, displaying a commanding fastball that batters struggle to catch up to. He also mixes in the occasional breaking ball to keep batters guessing.

“His fastball has a lot of jump to it,” Sansing said. “Overall, his last couple of starts have been very good.”

Rodebaugh and the Owls return home Friday to Stillwell Stadium to battle rival Mercer University (25-20). The first pitch is set for 6 p.m. On Saturday, the game starts at 1 p.m. with game two following 30 minutes after the last out.