SPRINGDALE — College coaches looking for talent should know Springdale Har-Ber has more than one top pitcher on its staff.
Kurt Phillips is often overlooked because of the appearance of Weston Rogers, a lefthander who has signed with Arkansas. Phillips is also a senior but his future is far less secure heading into today’s Class 7A state tournament. Phillips is still unsigned and most of his offers have come from junior colleges in the region.
College coaches willing to take a chance could get a steal with Har-Ber’s No. 2. He’s been the Wildcats’ best pitcher after Rogers was slowed with a bout of mononucleosis to start the season. The senior right-hander is 6-2 with three complete games and a 0.56 earned run average. He’s shown good command with 54 strikeouts and 16 walks in 492/3 innings.
“Of all the Division 1 (signees) is this league, Kurt has the best numbers,” Har-Ber pitching coach Dustin Helmkamp said. “If a (college) coach wants a fierce competitor and a ‘yes, sir, no, sir’ person, he’s your guy. Kurt has four good pitches and he can throw them at any time. The only question, previously, had been his longevity. But he’s been able to bounce back all year after throwing and given us a quality performance in his next start.”
Some of Phillip’s best starts have come in big games, including losses to Fayetteville and Rogers Heritage. He lost 1-0 to Rogers Heritage and 3-2 to league champion Fayetteville when he hit a batter with the bases loaded.
“I had a good game, but sometimes things like that happens,” Phillips said of the loss to the Bulldogs. “We should’ve won. I think that game showed we can beat anybody when we put it all together.”
Har-Ber (21-9) could be a dangerous opponent in the state tournament with Rogers and Phillips throwing consecutive games. Rogers will take the mound at 2:30 p.m. today when Har-Ber opens against Little Rock Catholic at Bentonville. Phillips will follow Rogers, who is 3-2 with a 1.32 ERA and rounding into form after regaining his health.
“Weston and I have been best friends for probably nine years now,” Phillips said of Rogers, who struck out 10 last week in a win over Springdale High. “We grew up playing baseball together for as long as I can remember. I love seeing him do well and it made my day when he signed with Arkansas.”
Phillips did not have one of his best games against Springdale, a motivated opponent who lost two one-run games to the Wildcats. The Bulldogs tied the game 4-4 before Tyler Blackston put Har-Ber ahead with a home run in the sixth inning.
Phillips then retired Springdale in order in the seventh to secure the 5-4 victory.
“Kurt Phillips didn’t have his best stuff,” Har-Ber coach Ron Bradley said. “But when we had to have it, he reached back and had his best inning in the seventh. That’s the kind of competitor he’s been all year for us.”
Rick Fires can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter@NWARickTwitter@NWARick.