Orange County Prep Player of the Week : New School No Longer Throws Houston a Curve

Three years ago, Phil Houston came to Mission Viejo High School with high hopes. His hard-breaking curveball, he thought, would send him straight to stardom.

At least that’s how it happened in North Delta, Vancouver, Houston’s home until his father was transferred by his employer to Southern California.

Houston, a left-hander, was a Little League star in Canada. At 14, he was named most valuable pitcher in the 1983 Western Canadian Championships.

Southern California, however, was a different story. At Mission Viejo, competition for pitching positions was fierce.

“The first time we saw him was in our 10-day tryout period,” said Dave Clark, assistant coach. “We told anyone who can pitch, please go out to the mound. Actually, when Phil went out there, we were real surprised. He had a real good curveball--especially for a sophomore.”

Houston is showing this season how far he has progressed. Houston, The Times’ Player of the Week, pitched a two-hitter to defeat Millikan, 8-2, in a semifinal of the Santa Ana Elks tournament last week. He went 10 for 17 in the tournament with nine RBIs, four doubles and a home run.

This season, Houston (4-1) is batting .479 with 4 home runs, 8 doubles and 17 RBIs. He has a 2.60 earned-run average and has struck out 45 in 32 innings.

“Now I think everything is getting like I hoped,” he said. “I don’t get discouraged like I used to. It’s better when you get to play.”

Houston didn’t get to play where he wanted as a sophomore. He spent the season playing the outfield on the varsity and junior varsity.

As a junior, he pitched in several games but was not allowed to hit. He had worked all summer to improve his hitting.

“The worst of it was, the designated hitter was my best friend (outfielder Jack Bailey),” Houston said. “He’d always have to talk about it after the game. He gave me sort of a hard time about it. And about me being from Canada.”

Houston tried many things to fit in. When a friend took him surfing last summer, Houston dashed himself against some rocks, cutting his arms and legs.

Houston avoided the beach the rest of the summer and spent most of his time playing baseball. The work apparently paid off. Phil Houston

Mission Viejo High School

Position: Pitcher

Height, Weight, Class: 6-1, 175, Sr.

Last Week: Houston pitched a two- hitter against Millikan in a semifinal of the Santa Ana Elks Tournament. Through four games, Houston went 10 for 17 with nine RBIs, four doubles and a home run.

Season: Houston (4-1) is batting .479 (23 for 48) with 4 home runs, 8 doubles and 17 RBIs. He has struck out 45 in 32 innings and has a 2.60 earned-run average.