Chuy Rodriguez steps to front of the line for Gibsonburg baseball

In order to have twice as many strikeouts as innings pitched, you basically have to strike out two batters per inning.

Gibsonburg senior Chuy Rodriguez has 60 strikeouts in 33 innings, while issuing 17 walks. Rodriguez, who also played football and basketball, started at third base since he was a freshman and earned innings on the mound as a sophomore.

"I've played baseball my whole life," he said. "When I got to varsity it humbled me to stay quiet and do what I can. As a freshman, I was just trying to do my job. I still have to do my job, but it's more of a leadership role helping younger guys as an example.

"Seeing pitches. The SBC always has good pitchers. The reps made me so much better. My pitching, our league has teams that can hit. From sophomore to now, I've improved so much."

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He struck out 92 and walked 17 in 51⅓ innings as a junior. He throws a fastball, changeup and curve ball, and he likes to change speeds.

"I'm mainly trying to get outs," he said. "Strikeouts are cool and they come, but I'm trying to get outs in less pitches and not let the other team score. I'm just trying to get outs. If I can get a strikeout, I try to strike out as many as I can.

"If they hit it, the defense makes the play. If I get a strikeout, the defense doesn't have to get an out."

Gibsonburg's Chuy Rodriguez

He focuses on locating pitches and tunneling in order to repeat his delivery and disguise his pitch selection.

"I've been pitching my whole life," he said. "It's not new. I go out and do what I can. If a guy's late, he won't get a curve to slow it down for him. If he's a good hitter, they might see a curve. I remember what happens and take it from there."

Rodriguez, who also leads the team with a .484 average at the plate, slotted after graduate Nolan Hoover in the starting rotation last season. Hoover is seventh all-time in Ohio history with 33 wins and eighth with 421 strikeouts.

"I don't feel I have shoes to fill," Rodriguez said. "Nolan was a great player. Now, it's what I can do. We're a young team. The role switches. It's a little nerve racking. You have that weight on your shoulders as the No. 1 pitcher. You're a senior.