Talk about a commanding performance transitioning into a new role.
Backed by tremendous command on the mound, pitcher Nolan Ruff is making the switch from reliever to starter seamless as the Okotoks Dawgs righty leads the WCBL with a 7-0 record with just six walks through 57.1 innings.
“I’ve always been taught command,” Ruff said. “It's like don’t give up free bases, I would rather have the ball put in play. I’ve given up quite a few hits, but that’s just because I’m working around the zone.
“If they make good contact, that happens, but the only thing I can control really is throwing strikes.”
In nine appearances, Ruff has yet to take a loss boasting a 3.14 ERA, a 7-0 record and 65 strikeouts, leading the Dawgs in the latter two categories.
“Honestly I could not tell you, I’m getting lucky,” he said with a laugh. “I’m just trying to do the best I can and give our team a winning chance as long as I keep the game close I know they’re going to pick me up.”
Backed by a strong defence and the most prolific scoring lineup in the league has been a boon to everyone who steps on the mound for the Dawgs and Ruff is no exception. Okotoks has scored eight runs or more in six of his nine starts.
“That’s huge,” he said. “If I give up a bunch of runs early it’s not that big of a deal, I’ve just got to keep the game close because I know they’re going to score more runs.
“We have a really good offence, especially in the later innings, 7, 8, 9, we’re really good at comebacks.”
It’s been impressive returns as a relative newcomer to starting.
Ruff was primarily used a closer, starting two games, during his sophomore season at Mesa Community College. The Glendale, Arizona native went 7-1 for the Thunderbirds with a 4.98 ERA with 44 punchouts in 43.1 innings.
“I started a game in our World Series game so I started to get into it,” Ruff said. “When I came up here I asked if I could try starting and then next year (at Mesa) I might be starting so I’m just easing into it I guess.”
Ruff, whose pipeline to Okotoks came through Dawgs and Mesa coach Dave Robb, spent parts of last summer with the Dawgs out of the pen.
“It’s a different mentality,” Ruff said. “When you’re coming out of the bullpen you usually only have one inning so you give it your all for the one inning.
“Whereas with starting you have to sort of pace yourself to lengthen it out.”
Ruff, who pitched six innings, allowing one run and six hits over six innings in Okotoks’ 3-2 win over Lethbridge on Aug. 1, isn’t putting too much stock in his gaudy totals and undefeated record to date.
It’s more about the standings than the WCBL statistical leaders.
“It’s nice to keep the win streak going, but at the same time, it’s not that important to me,” Ruff said. “I just want the team to win, if I don’t get the win, that’s fine, I just want the team to win.”
