Pitcher of the Year

In a purely physical sense, Kathryn Nevard of Camarillo High is not an intimidating figure in the pitcher’s circle.

She’s a wispy 5 feet 6 with an easy-going approach. She flashes as many toothy smiles during a game as she throws strikes.

“I just have fun out there,” said Nevard, a repeat selection as The Times’ Ventura County pitcher of the year.

Few pitchers shared the same joy this season as Nevard, a dominating right-hander with an arsenal of pitches she unleashes with pinpoint accuracy.

Her fun involved striking out 1.70 batters per inning, allowing about two hits per seven innings and registering a strikeout-to-walk ratio of about 31-1. Seems one girl’s fun is another’s nightmare.

Yet, the fun-loving Nevard, who has the composure of a rock when she gets in a jam, is also a closet perfectionist.

“I had fun this year but you always think you can do better,” she said.

Nevard, a three-time all-county selection, struck out 308 batters in 181 innings this season, nearly doubling her strikeout total of her first three high school seasons.

Headed to Illinois on scholarship, Nevard entered her final high school season without high expectations, opting instead to concentrate on enjoying herself and her teammates.

The good-natured ace with the accelerating riseball and wicked screwball plowed through the competition with the presence of a one-girl wrecking crew. And she was rarely in a generous mood: Nevard walked only 10 batters.

“She was a huge part of our success,” Coach Miki Mangan said. “[Opponents] had to work for it all the time.”

Nevard, who finished 17-7 and with an earned-run average of 0.15, led Camarillo to a second consecutive Pacific View League title and a Southern Section Division I semifinal.

For Nevard, whose twin Meredith also pitched for the Scorpions, it was the perfect ending to an uncertain beginning three years ago.

“As a freshman, I didn’t even think I would make the varsity team,” Nevard said.

She not only made the varsity squad as a freshman, she split time with established ace Cindy Ball, who now pitches for University of the Pacific.

In four seasons, Nevard struck out 696 in 523 2/3 innings and finished with a 0.29 ERA.

“I’m going to miss Kathryn very much,” Mangan said.