Coachable Whitley gets job done for Trojans
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 15, 2014 1:48 PM
rcoggins@newsargus.com
MOUNT OLIVE -- Each time Kodi Whitley steps on that red clay mound and leans in to get the catcher's sign, butterflies float freely in his stomach.
There's a burning desire, too.
Whitley knows about the pitchers who have toed the rubber at Scarborough Field before him, including major leaguers Carter Capps and Tom Layne.
He hadn't even reached high school when Ryan Schlecht and Casey Hodges played pivotal roles in the University of Mount Olive's run to the NCAA Division II College World Series championship in 2008. Since then, Jeremy Nowak, Ryan Kussmaul and Pete Levitt have left their respective marks on the program.
Following those legends is enough to make any pitcher quake in his cleats, particularly a freshman. But not Whitley. He had to learn on the fly when injuries and off-the-field problems depleted a talent-rich bullpen.
"I got the chance to start and it just fell into place from there," said a modest Whitley. "It was definitely a blessing to have the chance to go out there, and I thought I did well with each opportunity I had."
Whitley did.
The right-hander fashioned a 6-1 record and 2.62 earned run average in 68 2/3 innings of work -- second only to senior southpaw Derek Justice. Whitley logged 46 strikeouts and held opposing teams to a .249 batting average.
One of four Trojans to start nine or more games this season, Whitley emerged as the Conference Carolinas rookie-of-the-year.
"One of the things we kind of figured out early about Kodi was he's very coachable," UMO assistant coach Jason Sherrer said. "He's very open to adjustments, learning his approach ... just kind of a bulldog who doesn't allow himself to get beat just because of something he can fix.
"He's one of those kids who has good baseball structure."
Whitley took a few hard knocks during fall ball, but has gained command of his pitches and developed a cutter. He can throw each pitch in his arsenal for a strike and use any of them as his 'out' pitch.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder consistently works down in the zone and keeps his pitches on the same plane, which allows him to generate ground balls for the defense behind him. Whitley and his bullpen mates have forced opposing teams to hit into 40 double plays this season.
UMO has a team ERA of 3.90.
Whitley doesn't mind hearing criticism about his mechanics or what pitch he should throw in a certain situation. He constantly seeks advice from seniors Josh Frederick and Derek Justice.
Once he steps on the mound, he understands the importance of game management and upholding the tradition left behind by those who pitched before him.
"Every time I go out there, I have butterflies every game I pitched," laughed Whitley. "Every time you walk out on the field, you think of all the people who have played before you ... all the greatness that was ahead of me.
"I'm lucky to be blessed that God has given me the ability to play the game."