A Tale of Two Victories

Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona pitcher Rob Shabansky was the winner in two games played on Saturday. He won both games over the California Golden Bears while appearing in relief. Shabansky said he likes the pressure inherent with entering the game as a relief pitcher.

When Friday's game against California was called because of darkness after 12 innings, it was decided that the contest would be continued on Saturday before the regularly scheduled game. After some discussion, the Arizona coaches decided to put in Shabansky, who was scheduled to start on Sunday.

"Rob is one of our better competitors," UA pitching coach Bill Kinneberg said. "We wanted our best competitor in that game."

Shabansky took the mound, knowing that allowing one run could cost the Wildcats the game.

"I was pretty confident," Shabansky said. "Our pitchers threw well the first couple of days and I figured to just go right after them like I've done all year. You can't be scared or you're going to get hit."

Shabansky responded to the task, allowing three hits and more importantely one run in three innings. He walked none and struck out two, picking up the win when Arizona scored two runs in the top of the 15th.

In the second game of the day, Arizona coaches considered going to Shabansky again.

"They asked about relief for the second game, and I said, 'Yeah, I'm still warm. I can still go again," Shabansky said.

Returning in the eighth inning, Shabansky shut down the Golden Bears, allowing one hit in 2 2/3 innings. He got the win after the Wildcats broke the tie in the 10th when junior Kenny Corley's hit scored Erik Mattern.

"He definitely fit our needs that day," Kinneberg said.

"I just tried to stay as confident as I can," Shabansky said. "You're always going to be a little bit nervous, but it helps you. I mean, nervousness helps your edge."

Shabansky seems to have had the edge on opposing hitters all year. The southpaw is sporting a 5-1 record and a 2.53 ERA. Opposing hitters are batting a mere .198 against him and he has 29 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched.

Three of his five wins came in a one week span. Besides the two Cal wins, Shabansky defeated Eastern Michigan in a starting role on February 25th. For the week, he threw 10 2/3 innings, allowed only one run (0.84 ERA) and five hits, all of which were singles, and struck out 11 batters while walking only one. During his win against Eastern Michigan, Shabansky struck out six straight batters, tying a school record.

"Last year we had so many troubles with pitching that whenever you were in trouble you were nervous that you were going to get the hook," Shabansky said.

He credits his improvement to this past summer he spent in Cape Cod, where he played for the Chatham A's,

"When I got to Cape Cod this summer, they made you battle through, they made you go right after guys."

Getting control of his curveball and change-up and a new aggressiveness has added to his success.

"I just wanted to go right after hitters. I wasn't nervous about getting pulled anymore. I just do the best I can."

After a slow freshman campaign, where he appeared in only 11 games and 30 innings, Shabansky set a few goals for this season.

"Of course, I wanted to be a starter," Shabansky said. "I wanted to stay healthy. I am a lot healthier now. We worked hard in the weight room in the fall and Coach Kinneberg runs us hard. It's all helped us. I'm in the best shape of my life."

Shabansky's success has not surprised any coaches.

"Naturally, Rob has always had the ability," Kinneberg said.

Starting his pitching career at the age of 10, Shabansky enjoys the power that comes with taking the mound.

"It's a challenge because you are in control of the game," Shabansky said. "It's at your pace and you have a lot of input on the game.

"It was almost like my high school days. They needed a win so they put me in. They had confidence in me to go in and shut the door. I did, and hopefully my season will keep going the same way."