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50 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, April 8, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 8, 2005 South Medford junior Rick Imhausen has developed into one of the top pitchers in the SOC. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Substance over style Blue-collar approach puts Panthers’ Imhausen among the SOC’s pitching elite By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune Rick Imhausen doesn’t necessarily get the headlines or fanfare granted to other pitchers in the Southern Oregon Conference, and he could absolutely care less. The South Medford junior has earned the respect of his peers, for sure, but you’d be hard pressed to pose a rapid-response question on the league’s top pitcher and have his name blurted out. That’s partly because there’s so much talent returning to that position this year in the SOC, and partly because of the 17-year-old’s blue-collar approach. "His results have been as good as anyone," says South coach Steve Antich, "he’s just maybe not as flashy as some of the others. He’s a guy who just goes out there and has gotten the job done for us without much fanfare." Entering Saturday’s "home" opener for the Panthers at North Medford High, Imhausen boasts a 1-1 record with a 1.40 ERA and nine strikeouts in 15 innings. Advertisement Most recently, the right-hander limited 10th-ranked Roseburg to four hits and only one run over seven innings but suffered a 1-0 setback as Indians counterpart Blake Keitzman tossed a one-hitter. "Rick gave us every shot at winning at Roseburg," says Antich, whose team next faces Eagle Point in a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon. "It’s disappointing either (pitcher) had to take a loss because they both did such a great job." A three-year starter, Keitzman is just one of the many returning all-conference pitchers stealing the SOC’s spotlight thus far. In Klamath Falls, four-year starter Daniel Bennett was a first-team selection last year, along with North Medford senior lefty Josh Suarez. Second-team honors went to Imhausen last year after a breakthrough campaign. Another second-teamer, fire-baller Nolan Morgan in Grants Pass, also returns. Throw in all-conference southpaw Cole Rohrbough at North, who’s a strikeout artist in his own right, and it’s not hard to see how Imhausen’s subtle qualities may not get their due. "It’s nothing against Ricky," says Antich, "but he very well could be down the list only because there’s so many exceptional pitchers out there. But I think if you ask the other coaches, they know he’s a pretty good guy." While some might cry foul over a perceived lack of notoriety, Imhausen doesn’t give it a thought. All the aforementioned pitchers deserve their praise, he says, and he’s not about to get into a public debate over their pecking order. "I don’t really care what the other guys do," he says. "I just go out and do my thing." That mind-set served him well last year, and he’s not about to abandon it. Slated for little more than a few relief appearances last year, Imhausen was forced into action when South ace Tim Holtz suffered an elbow injury midway through the season. Imhausen answered the challenge in superbly, however, as he became the Panthers’ most consistent pitcher down the stretch in helping South claim its first-ever SOC baseball title. "He came out of nowhere last year," says Antich. "Obviously we knew he was a good player, but we didn’t know he’d be as successful at that level in such a short time." Key to it all, adds the coach, is the fact that Imhausen remains virtually unfazed by his surroundings. "That’s maybe his biggest strength," says Antich. "It’s just his personality. He never seems like he’s overwhelmed or over his head. It just seems like no matter what’s going on around him, he’s just the same person." "That’s a huge asset," the coach adds. "There’s been a million guys who had great talent, but they couldn’t get control of their emotions and never had success." And for his part, success just seems to follow Imhausen in whatever he does. An accomplished bowler, he boasts a high game of 278 and high series of 732. Each was established this year, with his high game coming at the city tournament and his high series notched during the district all-stars tourney. Imhausen carries a 206 average in the Generation X Scratch League at Lava Lanes and a 191 average in the Sparetimers League at Roxy Ann Lanes. The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder was also an all-conference lineman for a South Medford football team that advanced to the state quarterfinals this past fall and is an avid racquetball player. While none of his athletic endeavors seem to have a common thread save for Imhausen’s involvement, he boils it all down to the lowest common denominator. "Nothing really works with the other," he says of his quartet of pursuits. "I’m just really competitive and I like playing sports." Nothing, however, compares to the feeling gleaned on the pitcher’s mound. "Baseball’s my favorite," he says. "I just love being in control on the mound and having the game in my hands. I love the pressure." And that thrill overrides any accolade or pat on the back he could receive. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Distance Education Diamonds Slippers Student Loans afsa teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoo Fasa Advertisement s