Indy Star

 

By Nat Newell

 

"Don't think. It can only hurt the ballclub."

It's a classic baseball cliché, but Hamilton Southeastern High School pitcher Travis Reboulet has more reason to embrace it than most players. He's spent his career receiving advice from his father, Jim, who spent six years in the minor leagues and reached the Triple-A level, and his uncle, Jeff, who had a 12-year big league career as a utility infielder.

"Don't think, just throw," said Reboulet of the secret to his improved pitching this season. "My dad and uncle tell me the same things, so it's basically getting big-league advice."

The senior right-hander didn't think about the wind howling out to right field in Wednesday's Mudsock Trophy game at Fishers or try to blow away hitters out of fear any ball hit in the air would sail out of the park. Instead, Reboulet pitched his normal game, using primarily his fastball and change-up down in the strike zone to win 11-1.

"I just went out there and pitched my game, pitched the way I know how, and my defense made plays behind me," he said, displaying further mastery of clichés. "I've been pitching like that all season, and I don't look to stop now."

Reboulet allowed just two balls out of the infield in the first five innings -- including a wind-blown double by Kevin Schlotter that resulted in Fishers' only run -- and threw a complete game, giving up just five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in difficult conditions.

Reboulet is 2-2 with a 2.37 earned run average, allowing five walks and 18 hits in 232/3 innings while striking out 23. He went 3-5 with a 4.44 ERA last season.

Reboulet allowed one earned run in three innings of relief in last season's come-from-behind 14-11 victory, so he's gotten the win in both Mudsock games. Add an extra-inning 1-0 loss to Fishers in sectionals last season and Reboulet has a 1.19 ERA in 172/3 innings against the Royals' archrivals.

"Travis Reboulet propelled us to this victory," said first-year coach Scott Johnson. "He knows how to pitch. He's not just a thrower. He keeps the ball down on a regular basis.

 

"His strike-to-ball ratio is excellent; he's throwing 75 percent strikes. He's throwing consistent first-pitch strikes. He does the little things that makes a pitcher that much better."

Hamilton Southeastern improved to 8-4 heading into Friday's game with Class 4A No. 4 Brownsburg after winning 10 games all last season. The Royals travel to Brownsburg for an 11 a.m. game today, then host Fishers at 5 p.m. Monday.

"We've been playing together as a team as opposed to a bunch of individuals who happen to have the same jersey on," said Reboulet, who has met major leaguers such as B.J. Surhoff and Cal Ripken Jr. through his uncle. "We've all taken pride in the name we're wearing across our chest, and it's paying off."
Tigers by the tail

Hamilton Southeastern High School pitcher Travis Reboulet has dominated in-town rival Fishers during the past two seasons. Here is a look at his three appearances against the Tigers:

Date          IP        H    R  ER    BB    K    ERA    W/L
4-15-08    3          5    2    1       0      3    2.33      W
5-26-08    72/3     5    1    1       2      5    0.91       L
4-22-09    7          5    1    1       2      5    1.00      W
Totals       172/3    15  4    3       4      13  1.19      2-1







Next PageNext

* 1 |
* 2

Previous