For Funkhouser, Focus is on Controlling the Count

Oak Forest junior Kyle Funkhouser is a dominant pitcher. Much of his success of late is a result of concentrating on getting ahead in the count early.

On Thursday, .

“(Funkhouser’s) last couple starts, he’s been 0-1 almost every batter,” Oak Forest coach Thaddeus Gatton said. “When you’re 0-1 every batter and when you’re throwing upper 80s, low 90s, that really puts a high school hitter behind.”

Funkhouser has been hearing from his coaches all season about getting ahead in the count.

“We’ve been preaching first-pitch strike all year, because when you get behind in the count, that’s when they start getting hits because they know what’s coming,” Funkhouser said. “You really just can’t get behind, especially in high school.”

Funkhouser and his teammates would like to get the opportunity to play more often. Numerous games have been postponed this season because of bad weather. Funkhouser knows staying in shape is key during the unpredictable spring season.

“Every couple days I throw bullpens,” Funkhouser said. “I get out and run around the school if it’s cold and rainy out. You just have to stay in good physical shape.”

One of the challenges the rainy weather has brought is in the field, particularly for Oak Forest freshman right fielder Brian Richard. The team jokingly calls right field “Lake Michigan” because of the water that builds up there.

Richard came through in the clutch on Thursday with a two-out RBI double in the fifth inning. After Reavis pitcher Josh Arnold threw him three straight curveballs, Richard said he missed an opportunity with a fastball. However, Richard got hold of a changeup on the next pitch, even though he was ahead of it.

“It surprised me,” he said. “I thought I was going to swing too early because it looked like it was coming in too slow.”

Richard connected to drive in junior George Jester.

“Our freshman stepped up again,” Gatton said.