BH's Kendall Thamm Inks with Angelina

[BHFAN]

This is old news to some, but congrats to Kendall and Eagle 07!!


Eagle pitcher inks with Angelina College

By Michael Pineda
Baytown Sun 

Published January 16, 2008

The success that Barbers Hill pitcher Kendall Thamm has enjoyed started in the spring of his freshman year — when he was cut in tryouts.

Three years later, Thamm has signed a letter of intent to play baseball for Angelina College, where he will pitch.

Thamm is one of four Eagle pitchers that will play college baseball.

“Junior college was a better fit for me out of high school,” Thamm said. “I have only been pitching for two years and Angelina will help me develop as a pitcher.

“I liked the coaching staff and coach Livin (Angelina coach Jeff Livin) has a real good pitching background. He pitched in the minor leagues and has coached several pro players, including Clay Buchholz.”

Last season was a breakout year for Thamm as he posted a 12-2 record and a 1.69 earned run average while striking out 113 batters as the No. 2 pitcher in the rotation behind Texas A&M signee Ross Hales. The left-hander broke into the rotation after spending the previous season on the sophomore team.

Thamm was named to the first team of the 21-4A All-District team following last season and was invited to play in the Greater Houston Junior All Star game at Rice University’s Reckling Park.

“Kendall showed us he could pitch his sophomore year,” Barbers Hill head coach Gil Stalbaum said. “Since he was a left-hander we knew he could help us. Last year he refined his skills and really helped us.

“I think getting cut motivated him to really improve and become a better athlete. That in turn, turned him into a better baseball player. He got bigger with hard work in the weight room.”

The work paid off as Thamm began to turn it around during the summer leading up to his sophomore year. Word began to get back to Stalbaum about Thamm’s effectiveness.

“Getting cut helped me realize that if I wanted to make it, I would have to put in a lot of work,” Thamm said.

The Eagles went on to post a 26-8-1 record last season and advanced to the regional semifinals. With a wealth of talent returning, Barbers Hill is once again poised for a deep playoff run.

Once again, Thamm will be one of those that Stalbaum leans on.

“The main thing is I don’t want to worry about my numbers,” Thamm said. “I just want to keep my team in the game and give them a chance to win.

“Looking back on last year, I was kind of surprised at everything that I accomplished. I’m looking forward to building on it this year.”

[VP]

Congratulations Kendall!  Job well done.