PLAYOFF PROFILES : Corral More Than Just OK

CAMARILLO —  Mike Corral has wasted little time establishing himself as one of the top pitchers in Ventura County.

Corral, a senior left-hander for Camarillo High with superior command of his curve, has made short work of most opponents while compiling a 7-3 record with an 0.94 earned-run average in a staff-high 52 innings.

“He works fast,” Camarillo Coach Scott Cline said. “Most of the games he pitches last about an hour and a half.”

Corral, 6-1 as a junior, is the projected starter Friday when the Scorpions (19-5) play at Ayala in the opening round of the Southern Section Division I baseball playoffs.

Corral, who joined the varsity as a freshman, figured his curve would carry him far, but he also came to realize that working faster on the mound was a good way to combat a lack of velocity on his fastball.

“I think it’s just that once I get in that groove I try to work at a faster pace,” Corral said. “I figure my fastball isn’t going to blow anybody away.”

Corral has not been offered a college scholarship and says he probably will play at a local junior college. Wherever he goes, Corral plans to improve his breaking pitch.

Corral began practicing the curve at age 11 and has developed two versions, both of which he throws consistently for strikes.

Most telling of Corral’s statistics is his strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has 45 strikeouts and 12 walks.

“The thing I like about him most is that he throws strikes,” Cline said. “He doesn’t beat himself.”