PREP BASEBALL: LaRue County's Gardner bounces back from health scare (05/11)

By CHUCK JONES cjones@thenewsenterprise.com HODGENVILLE — LaRue County senior Keaton Gardner couldn’t imagine a year without baseball, but he nearly had to find out what it would be like. Gardner had a cyst removed from his lower back after having surgery in October. He almost missed the entire basketball season, getting to play in four or five games according to his estimation. With baseball season right around the corner, Gardner had to go back to the doctor and there was a certain amount of doubt in his mind. “It was hard,” Gardner said. “There was nothing I could do about it. It was stressful.” That stress was finally relieved when the doctor told Gardner he would be able to play this season. “I was happy again,” Gardner said. “I couldn’t wait to be out there running at practice again. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was able to be a kid again.” Understandably with what he had going on off the field and not being able to practice much in the preseason, Gardner, who admitted he is still not 100 percent, got off to a slow start this season. “He didn’t want to not play baseball,” LaRue County coach Chris Price said. “The fact he has played this season and gutted it out says a lot about him. Even though he struggled at the beginning of the season we knew it was just a matter of time before he got going.” Gardner, who has been a fixture in the LaRue County lineup for three years, has undoubtedly turned it on as the season has progressed. He is batting .361 with five doubles, two triples and three home runs. More importantly, Gardner is driving in runs once again. After driving in 24 runs his sophomore season, he only had four runs batted in last season. This season, he has driven in a team-best 27 runs and he is hitting .333 with runners in scoring position. “It was real frustrating last season,” Gardner said. “I didn’t do what I was supposed to do. It’s not always about getting a hit. I’ve been able to get hits, but I’ve also done other things to get guys in.” On the mound, Gardner is doing exactly the opposite – not allowing many runs to come in. He is 4-1 with a 1.65 earned run average. In 29 2/3 innings, he has registered 32 strikeouts. “He has a fastball with good movement,” Price said. “He throws from different arm angles. He throws his breaking balls for strikes. A combination of those things and he uses his head on the mound. And he’s a fighter. He doesn’t have dominating stuff, but he’s going to battle and use his head.” As a sophomore, Gardner was 4-5 with a 2.29 ERA in 52 innings and he was 2-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 35 innings last season. “It was big getting that experience as a sophomore,” Gardner said. “As a senior, you have a lot of confidence because you’ve been there before. It’s huge. It’s being a gamer. You don’t have to mow everyone down; I learned that early. I have a great defense behind me and I let my defense do the work.” Last season, Gardner spent time at first base, but he has been used mainly as a designated hitter this season. Price said Gardner has played catcher a few times as well as third and first, but Gardner has never complained about it. Price said he has embraced the new role. “It helps me focus on my hitting and pitching,” Gardner said. “It’s a lot harder than people think being a DH, but it helps me stay focused.” Price said Gardner “knows the game very well,” especially the mechanics of hitting and pitching. In fact, Price said Gardner would make a good coach. Gardner has considered it. “I’ve always wanted to coach baseball after I’m through playing,” Gardner said. “Baseball … I just love it a lot. It’s a great sport. I just love being around the game. I love it.” That’s why it means so much to Gardner being on the field this season. Chuck Jones can be reached at 505-1759