Playoff Profiles : Baltruzak Shines Again

It’s a measure of the past success of La Reina High softball pitcher Jennifer Baltruzak that a season in which she has an earned-run average of 0.62 is considered sub-par by her team’s Tri-Valley League rivals.

In reality, the Regents’ standout pitcher is enjoying the second-best season of her sparkling four-year career. Baltruzak (11-6) leads La Reina (16-9) into the Southern Section Division V playoffs today in a wild-card game at Santa Clara (12-9).

“[Baltruzak] doesn’t have the numbers she had last year but she doesn’t have the same team around her either,” La Reina Coach Don Hyatt said. “Last year we had six seniors. This year we have two. At times Jenn’s tried to shoulder too much of the burden and any time you press it takes a bit away from you.”

Baltruzak pitched all but one of La Reina’s 23 games last season and was overwhelming as the Regents advanced to the division title game. She had an 18-5 record, an 0.45 ERA and 152 strikeouts in 157 innings. La Reina won the league title and Baltruzak did not allow a run in league play.

La Reina finished third in the league this season and opposing coaches and players noticed that Baltruzak was less effective.

Hyatt concedes that his ace, with a career record of 57-20-1, does not throw as hard this season, leading to fewer strikeouts (78 in 108 innings) and more chances for what is now an inexperienced defense. Baltruzak is also batting .264 compared to .337 last season.

“I don’t know what my problem is but I also think people had a lot of high expectations for me,” said Baltruzak, whose string of scoreless league innings ended at 63 earlier this season. “I’m disappointed in myself because I haven’t been able to lead the team like I wanted to.”

Hyatt has no fears that Baltruzak will fail to lead in the postseason, where she has traditionally shined.

“That’s been her domain. She’s excelled every time we’ve given her the ball,” Hyatt said. “It’s hard mentally to carry the load for a team over 30 games but for five games it’s certainly possible if we get her some runs.”