Heading down to the United States for college baseball wasn’t all it was cracked up to be for Kam Sparrowhawk.
The Regina native was in for a rough ride in his freshman season at Taft College, as he recorded an 0-1 record in 12 relief appearances with a 12.15 earned-run average, striking out 10 in 13+ innings.
The right-hander says a number of things played into it not being a great season, so he started looking around for other options, where he found the University of Fraser Valley.
He liked the look of the defending Canadian College Baseball Conference champions, and took the leap this spring.
Sparrowhawk’s move has paid dividends in more ways than one, as he’s found his happy place on and off the field.
For the Cascades, he’s been a dominant force as a starter, going 5-1 with a 2.41 ERA, striking out 49 in 41 innings of work.
We caught up with the sophomore on a recent episode of Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast, which formed the basis of our latest 7th Inning Stretch.
1. How are you feeling about the season thus far?
I mean, honestly, it’s just completely different. I was at Taft last season and it was just a really bad experience. I was in my head all the time when I was pitching. I thought I was kinda hit, then I heard UFV had a really good pitching program. So I took a gamble and tried it out, and it’s been an awesome experience. I’ve learned a lot from our pitching coach, Kyle. He’s given me the confidence I need to pitch for this team and help my team win.
2. What’s been working for you and what’s been that unlock?
I would say, honestly, just throwing strikes. Last year, I was really struggling finding the zone. I wasn’t very successful. This year, I’ve found my success from pounding the strike zone and having a good secondary pitch in my change-up. My change-up has definitely given me lots of success this season so far.
3. What’s the vibe in the clubhouse as you head into the final week?
It’s awesome. I love going to war with these boys. Every day is just awesome to battle with these guys and face the teams in the league. Even in the winter, we were spending the cold months in the yard working out. It’s an awesome grind to bond with the boys and now that we’re in the season, we’re fully bonded and the culture is awesome. We’ve been doing lots of winning and we’re going to keep doing it.
4. As defending champions, did it feel like you entered this season with a target on your back?
Oh 100 per cent. When we’re going out against any team, they’re giving us their best as they want to take down the defending champions, right? So we have to go out there and play our best to be the standard in this league. We have to show up every single game.
5. What needs to happen for UFV to become back-to-back champions?
We just have to be prepared. Making sure we’re hitting our lifts, doing our mobility, doing all our drill work and everything, making sure we’re prepared, keep our head down and continue to grind. Then just out there and dominate.
6. What would it mean to you personally to bring home the championship?
It would be awesome, man. I would love to get a ring with these boys and take home the trophy again. It would be an honour. It would be awesome.
7. I know the CCBC season isn’t done quite yet, but you’ll be heading back to your home province this summer to play for the Moose Jaw Miller Express of the Western Canadian Baseball League. How excited are you for that opportunity?
Oh yeah, I’m so excited. These last few summers, I’ve definitely wanted to play full summers in the WCBL and I finally get that chance. Dustin Molleken has helped me out in getting my name out to the Miller Express. I know they’re hungry for a ring as well. I mean, playing in the summer, chasing a ring, it’s going to be an awesome experience.
The Canadian College Baseball Conference World Series is set for May 15-19 at Spitz Stadium in Lethbridge.
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