Thursday, June 03, 1999
Fields, Madeira seek first title
BY CAREY HOFFMAN
Enquirer contributor
No boys team at Madeira has ever won a state title in any sport, which helps explain the significance of this weekend for Mustangs baseball star Ken Fields and six of his teammates.
Fields and the others played on Madeira's basketball team, which made it to within one game of a Division III state title opportunity two months ago. With that experience still fresh, the Mustangs (25-4) get a shot at a Division III baseball title, starting with the state semifinals against Genoa (28-4) at 3p.m. Friday in Columbus' Cooper Stadium.
“We're glad to go again,” said Fields, who will take a 9-0 record and a 1.09 ERA to the mound against Genoa. “We want to win this time. Everyone's more confident. Last time, we enjoyed ourselves. We're going this time to win.”
Madeira's basketball season ended on a Thursday. Four days later, on the opening Monday of baseball season, Fields was on the mound pitching four innings to lead Madeira to victory.
Fields was an integral part of the basketball success, averaging more than 17 points a game, but he's probably even more essential in baseball.
He has allowed just 46 hits in 64 innings pitched this year, while recording 96 strikeouts. He bats third and hit .409 with 36 RBI and 31 runs scored. Madeira won the Cincinnati Hills League title, and Fields became the first player in school history named the league's player of the year in baseball.
Pitching is Fields' strength. The right-hander has been a varsity starter for four years and has a 27-2 record. Next year, he'll pitch for UC.
“He throws in the mid-80s with a good curveball, good changeup and outstanding control,” Madeira coach Jack Kuzniczci said. “Control-wise, he's as good as anybody I've ever seen in our league, and I'd say that maybe about the whole package, as well.”
Fields is looking to bring his best stuff against Genoa.
“My father (Jim), who helps with my pitching, and I have been going over everything this week,” Fields said. “This is the most important game of my career, and I'm going to be pitching in front of more people than I've ever pitched in front of before. I can't let myself get too pumped up and think that I can just throw the ball by everyone.”
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