Tom Horton is certain this is the best pitching staff he’s ever had at Bayfield High School.
Well, almost certain, anyway.
“Our pitching this year, I think it’s the best we’ve ever had,” the fourth-year BHS baseball coach said. “I’m not 100 percent sure, but I’m 99.9 percent sure.”
It’s a pretty sturdy limb for Horton to venture out on. The Wolverines have a team earned-run average of 1.09, so pitching is a huge reason for their 13-2 record and No. 4 state ranking in Class 3A, according to The Denver Post.
Matthew Knickerbocker (0.35) and Clay Miller (0.37) are 1-2 in ERA in 3A, and while their numbers aren’t quite as eye-poppingly ridiculous, Darren Hoselton (2.50) and Hunter Funkhouser (2.62) are no slouches on the bump, either, giving Bayfield a potent four-pitcher punch for what the Wolverines hope is a long playoff run.
“We play a very short, limited schedule, and it’s really hard to even use the four I’ve got. ... We’ve got four pitchers, and I think the worst ERA of any of them is 2.62,” Horton said.
The Wolverines showcased their arms in a big way last weekend at Monte Vista. Miller set down all 15 batters he faced for a five-inning perfect game, then Knickerbocker, in his first start of the year after spending most of the season as Bayfield’s closer, no-hit the Pirates in another mercy rule-shortened contest.
Miller entered the year as the big known commodity. After stellar sophomore and junior years, he signed to play college ball at Colorado Mesa, and in his varsity career, the southpaw has struck out 207 batters and walked just 26, including an 88-8 ratio this season, one in which he’s gone 7-0 in eight starts with two no-hitters.
Horton said Miller’s maturity level as a senior has helped him become even more dominant, as well as a better command of his pitches. His new weapon – a slider – hasn’t hurt, either.
“He’s got a slider now that he can go to for an out pitch, and it’s been pretty devastating,” Horton said. “It’s been devastating to left-handed hitters. They don’t know what happened to them.”
Knickerbocker, a sophomore, has been the real surprise. He didn’t pitch as much last year as a freshman but has been key as a reliever and will be a critical part of the starting rotation down the stretch and into the postseason. In 20 innings, he’s struck out 32 and walked just three while allowing just six hits and picking up four saves.
“He’s real physically fit. He’s getting taller. ... He’s really locating well, too. He’s got a great curveball to go with his fastball,” Horton said.
Hoselton and Funkhouser have handled the No. 2 starter duties for most of the season and give Bayfield an unusual amount of pitching depth for a Class 3A program. Horton said it’s imperative to have three or four dependable pitchers to make a run deep into the postseason, and he said with Hoselton and Funkhouser, Bayfield just may have that depth.
“Our three and four, they’re doing very well,” Horton said. “That’s the question mark right now (getting them innings). I’m probably going to throw one of them in the second game (today) just to give them some work.
“If we go anywhere where we hope to go, we’re gonna need all of them.”
rowens@durangoherald.com
