Jamison Posts 0.00 ERA for 49ers
by John Maffei, North County Times
May 18, 2005 Neil Jamison doesn't have an intimidating mustache. He doesn't stand on the pitcher's mound and glare at hitters. And he doesn't have that one overpowering pitch that blows hitters away.
What the Long Beach State senior right-hander does have is a good slider, command of an 89-92 mph fastball and an ERA of 0.00.
In 23 appearances covering 23 2/3 innings, the former Ramona High star is 4-0 with 11 saves. He has 21 strikeouts and has walked only two. Jamison has established himself as the top closer in college baseball.
"I wanted to be a starter this season, but we didn't have anyone else to close," Jamison said. "So I inherited the role in the fall and did pretty well.
"The bottom line is that I want to get to Omaha and the College World Series, so I'll do whatever it takes to help the team."
The fact Jamison is back at Long Beach this season is news.
Drafted in the eighth round by the New York Mets last season, Jamison passed on the opportunity to play pro ball and is now three classes short of graduating with a degree in criminal justice.
"It's not that I didn't want to sign, it was more about coming back to school, working with my pitching coach (Troy Buckley) and trying to get better," Jamison said. "As a closer, I'm basically a fastball-slider guy. But I want to develop a better change-up and be more consistent against left-handed hitters."
After earning another save Sunday against Cal Poly, Jamison has faced 81 hitters and allowed only 13 hits.
"Neil's a very mature young man, a guy I who I respect a lot," Buckley said. "We don't hold players back here, and I never felt Neil wasn't ready for pro ball. But he struggled a little down the stretch last season, and that put a bad taste in his mouth.
"Honestly, his ability to battle back, his fortitude, have made him a billboard for our program. And there is no doubt in my mind that he'll play pro ball and put up numbers."
There is no question Jamison will be drafted. His numbers say he's better than an eighth-rounder, but as a senior with no options remaining but to sign a pro contract, he could slip. |
