University of Houston Athletics
FEATURE: Partners in the Pen
6/23/2014 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 23, 2014
PARTNERS in the PEN
By: Allison McClain - a Cougar Tracks piece
When it comes to making the right call to the bullpen, Houston Baseball may have the best duo option in the nation.
A lot goes into evaluating a college baseball team, but most say `you are only as good as your pitching staff." And with that said, the Cougars have made a national statement this season when it comes to the hurlers wearing the Scarlet and White.
The senior duo of Chase Wellbrock and Tyler Ford have played a critical role in the success of a Houston pitching staff that has continued to rank among the nation's best in several national categories, including ERA (earned run average), WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) and strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Wellbrock and Ford stand an average height of 5-foot-9 inches tall, but throw from both the right (Wellbrock) and left (Ford) side, which makes opposing hitters question the mindset behind the twosome's pitching routine.
This duo has created havoc on opposing hitters all season long and their mindset on the bump has been the key to a combined 11 wins and 14 saves during regular season play for the Cougars.
You ask either one of them to explain their mental approach to their craft and they will tell you `it's about keeping it simple."
And by simple, they mean throwing strikes and pounding the zone.
Under the direction of pitching coach Frank Anderson, Wellbrock and Ford have propelled their game to the next level and have been the backbone to the Cougars' staff as veteran leaders on the mound.
You will see Ford in long relief and you will see Wellbrock in a save situation. They began the year in those roles, relished the moments and succeeded to an immense degree no one probably ever imagined.
Their presence on the mound won't overwhelm you, but their ability to throw strikes and make the right pitches at the right time has garnered them tremendous success over the course of the 2014 season.
They both are unique in that they have the ability to throw long innings and close out games, but have both absorbed their individual roles and have succeeded in helping Houston Baseball to 48 wins - that total equaled the school record set in 2000 and 2002.
The breakdown of Chase Wellbrock
The 5-foot-10 senior right-hander from Brenham, Texas, Chase is one of just two active four-year letterwinners on this Houston club. From the outset of his UH career in 2011, he has proven his worth as a quality, strike-throwing pitcher who has the ability to pitch long relief, start or even close games.
"My mindset hasn't changed over the years," Wellbrock says. "I just try and keep it simple. Throw it over the plate and try and get guys out and just continue to compete and help my team win games."
Wellbrock earned the closer role in 2013, tallying 11 saves. He surpassed that total in 2014, registering 12 saves prior to the Super Regional opener at Texas, and credits his success to the pitchers in front of him.
"What really makes me successful are the guys throwing before me," Wellbrock states. "When I see them out there competing and doing their job, that just makes me want to follow it up, trying to match them or be better than them."
Becoming the first Cougar in program history to earn back-to-back 10+ save years, Wellbrock became the Houston all-time saves leader this season.
For that, he was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List and was honored as the 2014 Houston Athletics Male Cougar of the Year for his efforts both on the mound, in the classroom and in the community.
From a year ago to now, Wellbrock has remained the Cougars' closer, but being that senior leader has given him the extra niche he needed to make his final collegiate season that much more special.
"Over the years, I have learned how to pitch in college as well as learned how the system works," he says. "The success has a lot to do with the knowledge I have gained over the last few years in approaching hitters in different situations."
And it takes a great pitcher to know one.
"Every time Chase takes the mound in save situations, you know he is going to get the job done," Ford says of his teammate. "That's all you can ask of him and it is great to see him shut hitters down in late-game situations."
Tyler Ford, known as "T-Bird" at Cougar Field
The 5-foot-8 senior lefty that has made himself known as the "pitcher with the beard" across the region. He has a knack for earning wins as the Cougars' star long reliever and he has proven his worth out of the pen, holding a 9-0 record in a team-leading 27 appearances.
Confidence surrounds Ford when he takes the mound in relief. He has the ability to escape inherited jams and make pitches in the right situations to preserve leads or keep the score close enough for his offense to regain late leads.
Coming to Houston as a junior college transfer, Ford made 16 appearances and finished the 2013 campaign with a 4.32 ERA. To no surprise, though, his work ethic in the off-season has allowed him to provide Houston with one of the nation's top relievers this year. Through the 2014 season, Ford was 9-0 with a miniscule 1.17 ERA in 27 appearances.
Most lefties in college baseball are your typical specialists, but Ford is nothing shy of a specialist.
"When I approach long-relief situations, I tell myself to finish the game," he says, describing his mindset when entering a game.
"Whether it is taking the game over in the second inning or in the sixth, I have the same mindset to finish the game, so we can save our bullpen. I have the ability to throw long innings, so I use that strength to help my team win."
The Richmond, Texas native is also a pitcher always looking to get better. He turned his season around when he gained 20 pounds in the off-season and worked all summer on his approach to pitching. That in turn has led to quite an impressive senior campaign that showcases his ability to throw strikes as he is among one of the nation's best in strikeout-to-walk ratio and WHIP.
"I always have something to prove and I really like the role I'm in this season," Ford says. "I have made some of the longest relief appearances of my career this season and I've enjoyed every minute of it."
Pushing a teammate to get better is key to success.
"Tyler has been outstanding. I give that guy a lot of credit," Wellbrock says of his fellow reliever. "He has been in some very tough situations. He has come into games, kept us in them and given us a chance to win.
"We have pushed each other all season long and I love being able to pitch behind him after he has had so much success."
Give credit where credit is due.
The word `humble' can certainly describe the way Wellbrock and Ford respond when asked `what has made you so successful this season?' They quickly credit the work of their defense, led by fellow senior catcher Caleb Barker, and the leadership of Anderson as the pitch caller.
They fully trust in Anderson and recognize his ability to keep them in a rhythm.
"Coach Anderson has transformed this pitching staff," Wellbrock states. "What he does so well is he keeps it simple. He keeps the game flowing. He gets pitchers in a groove and that's the biggest thing a pitcher can ask for is getting in a rhythm or a groove."
Ford echoes that description of the Cougar pitching coach - a calm, collected mentor with a lot of knowledge.
"Coach Anderson stresses the importance of pounding the zone and working ahead with strikes," Ford says. "It's all about getting ahead of hitters so you have control of the at-bat."
A lot of college baseball pitching staffs have that All-America closer or that go-to pitcher that seems to work out of jams and saves games for a team down the stretch, but how many teams can say they have two?
The duo of Chase Wellbrock and Tyler Ford have given Houston Baseball that chance. That chance to make 2014 a special season. And the best part about it all? They both come from humble beginnings, epitomize hard work, and possess the will to help their team win in anyway they can.
