Pitcher of the Year

Any freshman or sophomore who is searching for a pitcher to pattern his game after should watch junior right-hander Chris Cordeiro of Thousand Oaks High.

He makes batters look silly the way he moves the ball in and out, high and low, fast and slow. From his curveball to his slider, from his fastball to his changeup, he possesses complete confidence in his repertoire.

Whenever there was a big game this season for the Lancers, Cordeiro was on the mound. Twice he went up against Notre Dame, the region’s top-ranked team for much of the season. Twice he pitched against powerful Marmonte League rival Royal. He faced Poly, the City Championship runner-up.

“He was a guy who looked forward to that challenge,” Coach Bill Sizemore of Thousand Oaks said. “He didn’t fear it. He faced all the best teams.”

Cordeiro finished with a 7-1 record, 2.42 earned-run average and walked only 16 batters in 75 1/3 innings. In a Division I playoff opener against Notre Dame, he struck out 12 and waled none in the Lancers’ 4-3 upset victory.

Cordeiro, who led Thousand Oaks to the Marmonte League championship has been selected The Times’ Ventura County pitcher of the year.

“Without him, we don’t do a whole lot,” Sizemore said.

“Our kids knew when he went to the mound, we had a good opportunity to win because he was going to battle tooth and nail. He makes quality pitches in clutch situations.”

Some players get nervous or lose their poise when the going gets tough. Nothing seems to faze the 6-foot-4, 180-pound Cordeiro, who thrives on pressure and enjoys facing the best.

“It’s always an adventure going against the best teams,” Cordeiro said. “It kind of gives you a reality check knowing there are so many good players and keeps you humble.”

Cordeiro’s most impressive performance came against Notre Dame in a playoff opener. After the Knights scored three early runs, they continued to put runners on base but couldn’t advance them. Each time Cordeiro needed a key out or decisive pitch, he delivered.

It reinforced Cordeiro’s reputation as a pitcher who doesn’t shy away from challenges.

Sizemore, who works as a minor-league pitching instructor during the summer, said Cordeiro is better as a high school player than some experienced pitchers he has trained.

“I’ve worked with guys in the minor leagues that have come out of good four-year schools that aren’t as good as he is right now,” he said.

Cordeiro’s fastball has been clocked as high as 88 mph. It can be difficult to hit because he directs it to the corners of the plate and combines it with one of the best sliders in the region.

His junior season has made him a top college prospect for 2000, with UCLA and Arizona among the schools hoping to recruit him.