Second Spot Key for No. 36
by Bob Keisser, Long Beach Press-Telegram
February 23, 2006 Andrew Carpenter has a 1.89 earned run average, 15 strikeouts in 19 innings, has held opponents to a .214 batting average and wears jersey number 36.
But the most meaningful number in the arsenal of the junior right-hander is two.
The transfer from Sacramento City College was inserted into the second spot in the Dirtbags rotation for 2006, a position that has proven to be about as successful for the team and the individual as any on the field.
Last season, No. 2 starter Marco Estrada went 8-3 with a 2.43 ERA and was a sixth-round selection in the amateur draft. In 2004, Cesar Ramos went 12-4 with a 2.29 ERA as the man following ace Jered Weaver, and he was a first-round pick last year.
In 2003, Weaver filled that role and went 14-4 with a 1.92 ERA, and was a first-round choice in 2004. And in 2002, Daniel Eisentrager filled the spot and went 10-3 with a 3.95 ERA and was drafted by the Indians.
That's a combined record of 44-14 for the Dirtbags' No. 2 starter the last four seasons, and Carpenter seems primed to drive the numbers even higher.
After a decent five-inning debut against USC, Carpenter allowed just five hits and a walk in seven innings against Cal, a game the Dirtbags lost in the ninth, 2-1. Last Saturday against No. 5-ranked Rice, he outdueled Owls All-American Joe Savery, allowing three hits, two walks and a run in seven innings.
"He's been outstanding," Dirtbags coach Mike Weathers said Wednesday at practice. The Dirtbags (6-4) host Illinois-Chicago this weekend at Blair. "We expected him to step in like this because he has the raw ability.
"The second game of the series has always been the most important game. (Former Dirtbags coach) Dave Snow taught me that. The Saturday game dictates how you'll finish the weekend. If you win Friday, then a win Saturday gives you the series, which is always the goal. If you lose Friday, Saturday becomes a must-win game."
Carpenter, one of six pitchers making their Dirtbags debut in 2006, grew up in Northern California but came to Long Beach via Oklahoma.
After playing four seasons for the Vacaville High varsity, he went to Chico State as a freshman in 2004 and posted a 7-2 record, then transferred from the Division II program to Sacramento City College, a perennial power, hoping to get a little more exposure. He went 8-2 with a 3.15 ERA for them in 2005.
The Dirtbags recruited him, but he committed to Big 12 power Oklahoma. Then Sooner coach Larry Cochell (the one-time head coach at Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State Fullerton) was fired over a racially insensitive comment, and Carpenter reconsidered his decision.
"It was a surprise," Carpenter said. "(Cochell) recruited me personally and had been to my house. I wasn't sure I wanted to go there without knowing who the coach would be and where I'd fit."
The Dirtbags have tapped several players from Sacramento City College before (current outfielder Jordan Struble, 2004 reliever Steve Hammond, and Eisentrager) and have a good relationship with the school's coaching staff. That and the chance to work with Dirtbags pitching coach Troy Buckley made the decision pretty easy.
"Troy's considered the best pitching coach in America and Long Beach's national reputation is good, so it wasn't a hard decision," Carpenter said. "The team has sent a lot of players to the next level.
"He's helped me a lot with my mechanics, staying over myself and getting good drive, which has helped my location."
Carpenter was aware of the Dirtbags' pitching strength in general, and it was also noted what a launching pad the No. 2 spot has been in the recent past.
There's also the one-year wonder aspect of the program. The Dirtbags have sent several players on to a nice professional spot after just one year on the roster Chris Gomez, Steve Trachsel, Daniel Choi, Ryan Brannan, Eisentrager, Padres prospect Paul McAnulty, Marlins pitcher Jason Vargas, and Estrada, Hammond and Cody Evans from last year's staff.
The way he's pitched so far, getting him back for a second season may be difficult. Clearly, he's not what anyone would call second-best. |
