Angelle is Orangefield's unsung hero

[LuvThoseCats]

Great article in the Beaumont Enterprise.


http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/sports/local/angelle_is_orangefield_s_unsung_hero.html?c=y&page=2#storytop

Tammy McKinley/The Enterprise: 

Orangefield High School senior pitcher/first baseman Chase Angelle doesn't like the spotlight. Until this year, it hasn't been much of a problem for him.

Most of the attention surrounding the No. 4 Orangefield baseball team has gone to fellow seniors and the team's vocal leaders, Jacob Felts and Jace Statum, committed to Texas and Texas A&M, respectively.

He's not the most high-profile baseball player in his family either, as cousin Kevin Angelle plays in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

But all eyes were on Orangefield's No. 2 starting pitcher Saturday, as he pitched in back-to-back games against West Orange-Stark, throwing nine straight innings of shutout ball to propel the Bobcats to the regional semifinals. Angelle started both games, 11-0 and 12-0 victories, giving up two hits and two walks while fanning six.

"I don't really think of being on the mound as being in the spotlight; I just think of it as something I need to do to help the team win," Angelle said. "I'll do whatever my team needs me to do. I'm not a very vocal guy like (Statum) and (Felts). I just try to go out there and lead by example."

Angelle was showered with praise from teammates and coaches after the team won the series with WO-S.

"He basically carried the team on his shoulders," Felts said.

Angelle hasn't just been a one-game wonder. The lefty stepped up this entire season as the No.2 starter behind the ace, Statum. Angelle has a 1.72 ERA with 61 innings worked. Opposing hitters are batting just .174 against him.

"He's one of the big reasons we are where we are," said Orangefield coach Jeff Bennett, in his fourth year as head coach. "After his freshman year, I didn't think he would get to this point, but it wasn't because of a lack of ability."

The work Angelle put in this summer is a major reason behind his success this year. He worked with Sam Moore of The Zone Baseball Academy in Nederland on his changeup. While playing select ball in the fall for Moore's Southeast Texas Gladiators, Angelle would throw three straight innings of nothing but changeups.

That changeup has become Angelle's out pitch. Before, he only threw his fastball and curveball.

Moore, who has coached for 12 years and has operated The Zone since 2003, never has seen a pitcher progress as quickly as Angelle did between his junior and senior years.

"The progression that Chase went through was unbelievable," Moore said. "His changeup has gotten to the point where he can throw it on any count. It's phenomenal. That has made his fastball so much better. He has helped himself get to the point where he can play at the next level, and I am so proud of him."

Angelle also received some pointers from his cousin Kevin this summer. Chase does not get the chance to see or speak with Kevin very often.

"I worked out with him and threw with him a little bit," Chase Angelle said. "He just said keep working hard and don't give up. He's a role model for me. I want to be like him five years from now."

Angelle's emergence has taken the pressure off Statum, who in previous seasons, had to pitch almost every game for Orangefield. Statum has only thrown 1â…“ more innings than Angelle this year.

"I can just go out there and pitch now without worrying about being tired," Statum said. "I feel a lot more fresh. It's tough for opposing teams to have a fastball pitcher like me followed by somebody with offspeed stuff like him."

More importantly, Angelle being on the mound means Felts, an all-state catcher, and Quinton Evans, the team's shortstop, aren't. Both have had success pitching this year - Felts has a 3.00 ERA and Evans has a 0.54 ERA - but Bennett would rather have them in the field where they are at their best.

It's not a slight to Angelle's defense at first base, though, the position he plays when he is not pitching.

Angelle "plays a great defensive first base - one of the best in the district," Bennett said.

As he is on the mound, Angelle, the team's cleanup hitter, is Orangefield's unsung hero at the plate. He's batting .412 and leads the team with 44 RBIs.

Many times, teams will intentionally walk Felts, who hits in front of Angelle.

"It's a smart move on their part; I probably would do it, too, but it is my job to make them pay for it," Angelle said. "Whenever they walk Felts, I just try to go up there and make them regret that decision."

Angelle made Hardin-Jefferson pay in Orangefield's 11-3 win April 1, hitting a grand slam after Felts was intentionally walked.

"He's not your prototypical cleanup hitter because he's not going to come up with very many big hits, but he is going to come up with the clutch hits," Bennett said.

Angelle's success this season hasn't gone unnoticed. He received a call Tuesday morning from Lamar University baseball assistant coach Jim Ricklefsen, telling him he had a spot on the team next year if he wanted it.

"I'm really excited because I don't think my parents have ever missed me play a game, and playing close to home will give them the opportunity to watch me play without having to make a long drive," Angelle said. "I have aunts, uncles and other family members that also come to my games to support me."

The Bobcats (27-3) will need another big performance from Angelle in their series with Robinson (30-3), ranked No.1 in 3A after the end of the regular season.

Whether he likes it or not, Angelle will be in the spotlight for the rest of the playoffs. In a best-of-three series, Orangefield's fate is in Angelle's arms.

"He's always ready to do whatever the team needs," Felts said. "We have a lot of confidence in him."

[Critter]

Well,  I said it about half way through the season that I thought he was OF's Legit #1 and I'm going to stick with that.  Good luck Chase from here out in whatever you do.

Also, if he signs with Lamar would that make 3 D-1 signees?

[bobbymcgee]

Good observation- it would. I don't ever remember a team lower than 4A having this many D1 signees on it.

[KFDM COOP]

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/sports/local/angelle_is_orangefield_s_unsung_hero.html