Spring Break
Making his own footsteps
Following in shadow of two OSU greats is hard, but Beaver freshman Kevin Rhoderick is tackling all challenges
Kacy Hochstatter
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Sports
"I'm definitely more of a power pitcher," Rhoderick said. "I try to get ahead of hitters and overpower people with my fastball - my slider, too. Basically I am always trying to throw it as hard as I can. That's my game plan."
The Oregon State coaches have a game plan of their own and it involves using number 21 as often as possible.
"We'd like to get into more situations where we can use him," assistant coach David Wong said. "He's been effective every time he's been in."
Being effective is something that many fans take for granted. Often, being the closer can be a thankless job, but also one of the most important. There are only two things that can happen when a closer comes into the game: he can finish the job like most people expect, or he can be the goat who blew the game. A last-minute loss is costly for anyone and it can crush a team's confidence in one swing of the bat. It is the closer's job to make sure that does not happen.
"It's really demoralizing if you have a lead in the late innings and you give it up," Rhoderick said. "The way I see it is if my team gets the lead, I never want to let them down. I'm just trying to go out there and do it for my team."
Here at Oregon State, it is all about team, and no other former player represented team play better than K-Rhod's predecessor, Gunderson.
Rhoderick is well aware of the legacy he is carrying while being the new Oregon State closer. He has embraced the role, and with a little luck will one day be able to have the same opportunity to shine on the national scene like those who came before him.
"That's one of the reasons I came out here," Rhoderick said. "It's almost become a tradition to have good closers here, and I want to carry that on."
If and when that chance comes for the young right-hander to come up big in the clutch, Rhoderick already has the confidence from his teammates and coaches that he is going to come away with the big save. Despite only having 10 games of experience, his reputation as a clutch performer is growing quickly.
"He gets better when the game gets better," David Wong said. "If the game is close and on the line, he's nails."
Rest easy, Beaver Nation. You have K-Rhod, and nobody else does.
Kacy Hochstatter, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
The Oregon State coaches have a game plan of their own and it involves using number 21 as often as possible.
"We'd like to get into more situations where we can use him," assistant coach David Wong said. "He's been effective every time he's been in."
Being effective is something that many fans take for granted. Often, being the closer can be a thankless job, but also one of the most important. There are only two things that can happen when a closer comes into the game: he can finish the job like most people expect, or he can be the goat who blew the game. A last-minute loss is costly for anyone and it can crush a team's confidence in one swing of the bat. It is the closer's job to make sure that does not happen.
"It's really demoralizing if you have a lead in the late innings and you give it up," Rhoderick said. "The way I see it is if my team gets the lead, I never want to let them down. I'm just trying to go out there and do it for my team."
Here at Oregon State, it is all about team, and no other former player represented team play better than K-Rhod's predecessor, Gunderson.
Rhoderick is well aware of the legacy he is carrying while being the new Oregon State closer. He has embraced the role, and with a little luck will one day be able to have the same opportunity to shine on the national scene like those who came before him.
"That's one of the reasons I came out here," Rhoderick said. "It's almost become a tradition to have good closers here, and I want to carry that on."
If and when that chance comes for the young right-hander to come up big in the clutch, Rhoderick already has the confidence from his teammates and coaches that he is going to come away with the big save. Despite only having 10 games of experience, his reputation as a clutch performer is growing quickly.
"He gets better when the game gets better," David Wong said. "If the game is close and on the line, he's nails."
Rest easy, Beaver Nation. You have K-Rhod, and nobody else does.
Kacy Hochstatter, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
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