April 29, 2004

Wahpepah may go down as one of Cowleyâs best ever

After two years of blowing away hitters with his fast ball and baffling them with his circle change-up, Cowley County Community College sophomore pitcher Josh Wahpepah faces the decision of playing for the No. 1 team in college baseball, or going pro.

As a freshman Wahpepah went 8-0 with an earned run average of 1.63. He struck out 61 batters and walked just 18 in 52 innings as he was named the Freshman of the Year in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division, and earned first-team all-conference honors.

This season, he has thrown 63 innings, and has a record of 8-1 and an ERA of 1.62. He has struck out 67 batters and allowed just 39 hits, while allowing opposing batters a measly .170 average against him.

Wahpepah throws a fastball that sinks and runs, a circle change-up, and a slider. His fast ball has been clocked as high as 96 miles per hour, and consistently comes in between 92 to 96 on the radar gun.

“He’s as good as we have ever had here,” said Darren Burroughs, Cowley assistant coach and Wahpepah’s pitching coach. “He has been very receptive to my teaching, and is a very hard worker. He’s also been a good role model for the young guys. As a coach, you can only suggest things. He’s made himself what he is.”

Although Wahpepah was an all-state pitcher his senior year in high school, he believes Cowley has made him the dominating force that he has become on the mound.

“Lefty (Darren Burroughs) knows everything about pitching,” Wahpepah said. “He has taught me so much and helped make me the player I am today. Everything we do here has contributed to me getting better as a player.”

Wahpepah has signed with the University of Texas, ranked No. 1 in the nation in the latest NCAA Division I baseball poll. However, the Detroit Tigers also selected him in the Major League Baseball draft in June 2003.

Right now, Wahpepah is unsure whether he will pitch for the Longhorns or sign a pro contract.

“It will be a tough decision because Texas is such a great place and they are No. 1 in the country right now,” Wahpepah said. “It’s a good situation to be in. When the time comes, I will have to sit down with my parents and make a decision, and hopefully it will be the best one.”

This season, Wahpepah has combined with Trace Larman on a no-hitter of Barton County, tossed a one-hit shutout in a 1-0 win over Highland, and allowed just three hits in a 3-2 win over Coffeyville on April 15. He also did not allow a hit in three innings of work in a 13-2 win over No. 1-ranked Connors State on Feb. 25.

Wahpepah leads a Tiger pitching staff that has a stellar ERA of 3.04.

“Josh was pretty introverted last year,” Burroughs said. “This year, he has really become more outspoken and more of a leader on the bench. Now he is in a comfort zone, and it’s been a joy to see him mature.”

Cowley is 32-15 overall and 24-8 in the Jayhawk East. With Division I baseball or pro ball looming, Wahpepah is only focusing on the season at hand.

“I just want to help us get to the (World) series and win it when we get there,” Wahpepah said. “I hope to throw my best every time I’m out there and give our team a chance to win. Coming here has been probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me in baseball.”

Burroughs, who was a fifth-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1978, knows how difficult it is to make it in the major leagues as he spent 10 years in the minors. However, he believes Wahpepah has a shot at making it in the pros.

“With his ability and arm strength, he has an excellent shot at succeeding at the next level,” Burroughs said.