CCC's sophomore sensation

Joe McLemore transitioned nicely from a reliever to a Marauders' regular on the mound.

By CHRIS GIRANDOLA
Published May 9, 2006

[Times photo: Kathleen Flynn]

CCC's Joe McLemore, who starts tonight against Tampa Catholic, has rebounded well from Tommy John surgery.

CLEARWATER - Brett McKean heard the silent rumblings at the beginning of the year about "the kid with the stud of an arm."

But the Clearwater Central Catholic first baseman knew he had to see it to believe it. Heck, as one of only three seniors for the Marauders, he couldn't let loose with accolades for any talent sight unseen.

Especially for a sophomore. And a kid coming off a year and a half layoff due to Tommy John surgery, no less.

But when McKean saw Joe McLemore unleash his first pitch as a closer in the Diamond Classic to open the season, it was case closed.

McKean was hooked.

"Yeah, it was that clear," said McKean, the only senior still playing for the Marauders. "His fastball was overpowering. It just exploded. Definitely something fun to watch and play behind."

And McLemore has proven worthy ever since moving into the starting rotation midway through the season.

The 6-foot-2 sophomore has compiled a 6-2 record and will start against Tampa Catholic tonight. McLemore has allowed only five runs in 40 innings pitched with 39 strikeouts. A win against Tampa Catholic will put CCC in the state semifinals for the first time since 2003.

But, oh, how far the Marauders have come.

At the beginning of the season, CCC coach Todd Vaughn knew he had a young team, with only four seniors on the opening-day roster and the sophomores outnumbering the junior and senior class combined.

Then Vaughn lost three of his four seniors to injuries, most notably senior right-hander Charley Olsen, who had a 6-2 record and a 1.15 ERA in 2005. Sophomore Ryan Weber (7-2) moved into the No. 1 spot with McLemore taking over at the two.

And, to top it all off, when McLemore took the mound to make a start against Palm Harbor in March, it was his first since spring 2004 when he played for the AAU Clearwater Slammers and his first extended time pitching since surgery.

"You could say I was a little bit nervous," said McLemore, who went through a 12-month rehabilitation process and resumed pitching extensively in January.

Though he lost that contest, McLemore, who throws a fastball consistently in the high 80s with a circle changeup and a knuckle curveball, has rebounded to go 5-1 since, including a four-game win streak.

"Even though he's silent and a bit reserved, he's a competitor and he wants the ball," said Vaughn, who has gradually increased McLemore's pitch count throughout the season to protect his young arm.

McLemore has proven that the Tommy John surgery, which was once regarded as the bitter end of a pitcher's career, is a saving grace for players.

"Joe throws very hard for a young man," said Larry Mayol, who owns and runs StarCare, the training facility McLemore used for his rehabilitation.

"But we've seen over the years how young people have responded more quickly than older athletes. Physically, they heal fairly well, but it takes a little longer for them to completely come back mentally. And, with Joe, it's now a case of simply finding that zone where he can rear back and let fly."

He has shown glimpses of it so far, with his fastest pitch (93 mph) and his highest pitch count (85) coming against Clearwater in the Dunedin Classic a month ago.

"Joe's progressed so much in such a short time," said junior catcher Matt Carr, who shares catching duties with Zach Upton. "He's fun to catch because he works fast and he also has serious pop (to his pitch). I barely have any padding in my mitt because of him. But that's a good thing."

And something worth watching.

TAMPA CATHOLIC (17-11) AT CCC (21-8), 7 p.m.: Both teams will throw their aces as TC's Matt Quevedo takes on CCC's Joe McLemore. Quevedo struck out nine in the region quarterfinal (and homered in the semifinal), and McLemore left his victory over Cardinal Mooney with a no-hitter going. CCC is 2-1 against the Crusaders, including a 10-7 district title win. Though McLemore hasn't started any of the three games, he saved the first victory over TC.

[Last modified May 9, 2006, 00:42:06]