Campbell emerges as ace

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

By: Rudy Brandl
   Drew Campbell has made an impressive transition from closer to ace for the Hillsborough High baseball team this spring.
   Last spring, Campbell was coming in to close out games started by a quality staff of pitchers. With almost every starter back on the staff this year, Campbell expected to have the same role.
   The combination of injuries to other pitchers and Campbell’s own brilliance has changed all that. Campbell has emerged as the team’s most reliable starter and has gone the distance several times en route to a 5-2 record that leads the HHS staff. After several dominant mound performances, the right-hander has earned the distinction of team ace.
   Campbell, who pitched a complete game to beat Ridge in last Saturday’s Somerset County quarterfinals, is the Hillsborough Beacon Athlete of the Week.
   "I actually like it a lot better," Campbell said after Saturday’s 3-1 win moved the Raiders into the SCT semifinals. "I know when I’m pitching all the time and I usually a know a week in advance who I’m going against. I’m not always warming up in the bullpen and I get a lot more innings and a lot more work on the mound."
   Excess innings haven’t bothered Campbell, but he has been forced to change his strategy somewhat. When he was closing, he relied mostly on junk pitches since he owns a nasty arsenal of curveballs and sliders. This year, Campbell has been throwing a lot more fastballs.
   "I have to throw the fastball a lot more," Campbell said. "I used to come in and throw just junk because people would only face me once. I have to mix it up and throw more fastballs."
   Campbell is looking forward to the challenge of facing Watchung Hills and hard-throwing righty Matt Giannini, considered by many to be the county’s best pitcher. Campbell would like to prove he deserves that type of recognition.
   "I’ve wanted to face him since the beginning of the season," said Campbell, whose team will face the Warrior ace for the first time this year.