Western-Star.com

WEST CHESTER TWP. — Bill Dreisbach didn't need a stat sheet to describe the contributions of senior third baseman Craig Gauden this year.

"We're not standing where we're at right now without Craig Gauden," said Dreisbach, Lakota West High School's baseball coach. "There's no way. He's been that important to us."

The Firebirds will be gunning for their second straight Division I state championship this week, facing Lakewood St. Edward in a state semifinal at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at Cooper Stadium in Columbus.

Gauden, a two-year captain, can't wait.

"We believe all the pressure's on the other teams because this is their first time coming into this for a while," he said. "We believe if we play our game, we can beat any team in the state. So hopefully we can just play our game."

Gauden has been a consistent force for West in 2008, hitting .432 with 26 RBIs while posting a 3-0 record with eight saves and a 3.00 ERA on the mound.

All this from a guy who hit .269 and didn't throw a pitch a year ago.

"His leadership during this recent run of success has been so vital," Dreisbach said. "He leads by example. He works hard. He's been a steady presence for us in the locker room."

Dreisbach tried to move Gauden to shortstop at the beginning of the year, but he wasn't really suited for the position.

"We agreed that it was probably best for the team to move me back to third," Gauden said. "They thought I could play shortstop and I let 'em down, but that's all right. Bryan Beaver has stepped up at shortstop. I think the left side of our infield is pretty solid."

Perhaps his biggest surprise has come on the mound. Gauden said he simply decided to attend West's pitcher/catcher workouts this year and give it a shot.

"They said I had some pretty good stuff, so they gave me a shot," Gauden said. "I used to be a closer three or four years ago. I'm in my prime right now pitching."

He is difficult to hit against because of an unorthodox throwing motion.

"I step all the way across my body, so right-handed hitters don't see the ball until it's just about there," Gauden said. "I throw from probably every arm angle from top to sidearm, so you never know where it's coming from. Sidearm is probably the best with the frisbee slider, as Coach D likes to call it. That's my strikeout pitch.

"I think I have the right mentality to be a closer," he added. "I have confidence that I can get the job done for our team."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.

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