Hunter Haworth realizes his pitching career could be gone in an instant.
Whether it’s an injury or, in the worst-case scenario, a life-threatening ordeal, the San Benito High senior appreciates every moment he’s able to step on the mound.
Haworth already had a fundamentally positive outlook — one that allowed him not to take things for granted — before former San Benito High student Richard Beltran, 19, died in a drowning accident on March 16.
Haworth and Beltran were roommates last summer for the Hollister Babe Ruth team that advanced to the World Series in Alabama. Saddened but not defeated, Haworth has developed an even deeper resolve to fulfill his potential, on and off the field.
“It (Beltran’s death) makes you remember you’re not given a set amount of days to live,” Haworth said. “You should live every day like it’s your last, and that’s why every time I’m out there, I pitch like it’s my last start.”
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-hander has certainly showed an appreciation for his craft this season for a Haybalers team that entered the week with a 14-3 overall record and a 12-1 mark in the Monterey Bay League’s Gabilan Division.
After a solid 2013 season, Haworth has taken the level of his play up another notch this year. The Chico State-bound pitcher has been flat-out dominant this season, and even that might be an understatement.
In seven starts, Haworth is 6-0, including three complete games, two of which were shutouts. He’s allowed just two earned runs over 40 innings — a 0.35 ERA — while posting a superb 4:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (40 strikeouts, 10 walks).
Haworth chalked up his improved play to a couple of factors.
“Last year I was trying to be too fine with all my pitches,” he said. “This year I’m just going after hitters, trying to pound the (strike) zone and get ahead in the count off the first pitch. Getting that initial strike has been key for me, because then you can have the hitters guessing the whole time.”
Haworth throws a two-seam fastball that often jams right-handed hitters and tails away from lefties. Although you wouldn’t consider Haworth a flamethrower — his fastball usually clocks in the mid-80s — it’s plenty effective because he can throw his curveball in any count.
There have been times this season when Haworth has thrown his curve on a 3-2 count, which often fools the opposing batters badly because they’re expecting a fastball.
“The fastball is easily my best pitch, but I also have a lot of confidence in my curve,” Haworth said. “My change-up is also a good pitch, but if I leave it up (in the zone), it could be a very harsh and bad decision (for me).”
In addition to his pitching repertoire, Haworth also fields his position well. That’s why Chico State offered him a scholarship after they saw Haworth play in its camp last summer.
“I thought about playing college baseball since I was a freshman, so it was a dream come true,” Haworth said. “It also relieved a lot of stress, knowing I made my decision and I could focus on my senior season.”
Haworth credits his father, Mark, for giving him the best support possible. Whether it was driving to far locations for games/tournaments, paying for coaches, or simply offering advice, Mark has paved the way for his son to succeed.
“My dad was my coach from the time I was 5 to 14,” Haworth said. “He raised me on the game of baseball, talked with me, and even taught me how to pitch, even though he didn’t know (how to do it himself). He was and is still my mentor, and him being there for me all these years is a great, all-around memory.”
Haworth — knock on wood — has never had a pitching-related injury during his baseball career, and his sound mechanics certainly play a huge role in him being injury-free.
Haworth can deliver pitch after pitch and not fatigue because unlike a lot of hurlers, he has a smooth delivery that saves him from taxing his arm.
Haworth has also learned the art of not expending too much energy at the start. In the past, Haworth tried to blow away hitters in the early innings, and would be out of energy by the middle innings.
Now it’s a surprise if Haworth doesn’t go the distance.
“I like (Detroit Tigers ace ) Justin Verlander,” Haworth said. “He saves his energy toward the end and doesn’t blow out his arm in the first inning, which I had a tendency to do. I started changing my approach in junior year, because I really wanted to go deep in games.”
Balers coach Billy Aviles said Haworth has been nothing short of fantastic this season.
“Hunter brings his best every time out,” Aviles said. “He’s not scared, he goes after hitters and he battles all the time. That’s what you want to see out of your pitchers, the willingness to battle and get results even when you don’t have your best stuff on a given day.
“Hunter does that better than anyone, and when you combine that mentality with his physical ability, you’ll see some great numbers like the ones Hunter is putting up this year.”
