Undefeated Cubs not changing for state

“We don’t have to change who we are to play at the state tournament.”

That is what Humboldt High head baseball coach Mike Miller told his players as they’ve been preparing for this weekend’s 2012 Kansas Class 3A State Baseball Tournament. Miller said the top-seeded Cubs got to be 23-0 by pitching well, playing solid defense and finding ways to score runs.

“This group may be young but they are confident. Most of them were on the summer Babe Ruth League team that won a state title so they’ve been through this before,” Miller said, as he leads his first team to a high school state baseball tournament.

On Friday morning the Cubs take the field at Kansas State’s Tointon Family Stadium in Manhattan as the top seed but not the “favorite” in the state tournament. Humboldt plays Wichita Independent at 11 a.m. in the opening round.

“We’re not the favorite,” several players said. “We’re getting no respect as a team going into the tournament.”

Juniors Grayson Pearish and Nathan Whitcomb are the Cubs’ 1-2 punch on the pitchers’ mound. Both are 9-0 as starters and have led the team to an overall .88 Earned Run Average.

Pearish gets the starting nod for the opening game Friday. He has a .73 ERA with 50 strikeouts and nine walks issued plus given up 31 hits.

“My fastball and cutter are my best pitches,” Pearish said. “Not walking many batters and having my team behind me is how I was successful this season.”

Whitcomb goes into the state tournament with a 1.77 ERA. He has chalked up 64 strikeouts, issued 23 walks and given up 26 hits.

“I’ve been successful because of our team defense and the ability to throw strikes this season,” Whitcomb said. “Overall, we’ve been able to score runs and play defense all season and that’s why we’re going to state.”

“Plus we play well as a team and work hard every day in practices and in games,” Pearish said.

When not pitching, Whitcomb and Pearish are starting at third base for the Cubs.