CONWAY -- Derek St. Clair isn't going to finesse a lot of batters.
The Jacksonville pitcher is all about the strikeout.
"When I get on the mound, I'm throwing it as hard as I can," St. Clair said. "That's what I do every pitch: Throw it as hard as I can."
St. Clair is hoping to show off his power pitching prowess in tonight's Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star baseball doubleheader. First pitch for the two seven-inning games is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the University of Central Arkansas' Bear Stadium.
He compiled an 8-2 record and a 1.31 earned-run average for the Red Devils this season He allowed only 17 hits and 10 earned runs, but his most impressive statistic could arguably be his strikeout average, which was 1.7 per inning.
"I would have liked to have pitched a few more innings this season," St. Clair said. "But with the innings I had, I'm very pleased with what I accomplished."
St. Clair pitched 52 2/3 innings and struck 87. He helped Jacksonville claim the 5A-Central Conference title, and he pitched a complete-game two-hitter with seven strikeouts in the Red Devils' 7-1 victory over Nettleton in the first round of the Class 5A state tournament.
Jacksonville lost in the quarterfinals to eventual state champion Harrison and finished the season with a 23-5 record.
St. Clair may have the opportunity to face some of the state's best hitters in tonight's game. The West roster features Cale Riding of Genoa Central, who batted .566 with 16 doubles and 3 home runs, and Drew Tyler of Fayetteville, who batted .406 with 12 doubles and 8 triples.
St. Clair also had a decent year at the plate, batting .374 (31 of 83) with 7 doubles, 16 RBI and 11 stolen bases.
"I didn't think I was going to hit that good this year," St. Clair said. "That was really a surprise to me."
St. Clair will continue his playing career with Arkansas Baptist College, where he hopes to eventually to gain the attention of some Division I coaches and major-league scouts.
"I had an offer from Coffeyville [Community College] in Kansas, but I really didn't want to go out of state," St. Clair said. "I'm hoping my game develops to where I get to pitch at a higher level.
"That would be a dream."
Sports on 06/23/2015