Jackson Gamble wouldn’t want to again endure the stomach virus that overwhelmed him two weeks ago, but the Nixa right-handed junior pitcher is happy with the end result.
Having lost 15 pounds after not being able to keep food down for a merciless five-day stretch, Gamble is responding well to now weighing 200 pounds, rather than 215.
He threw six innings of shutout ball in the Eagles’ 2-0 triumph against Ozark on Tuesday.
It was his first start since March 19 against Glendale. After being unavailable the week of March 25-March 31, he made his return by pitching two innings of relief last Friday at Springdale Har-Ber.
“It’s surprising to me I'm in the spot I am because last week at this time I would have not thought I'd be starting today and going six innings,” Gamble said. “It's great to be back. I feel really good and was very amped up today.
“I'm still down 15 pounds, but I actually think that's helped me on the mound,” he added. “It kind of feels like it's freed me up. I came in against Har-Ber and felt like I was throwing harder than I ever have. Maybe it was meant to be that I would get sick and come out and throw harder. I was thinking that it was bad timing, because I've worked so hard for baseball and then right in the middle of the season I get sick. But I don't think it was bad timing. I think it was good for me.”
Nixa coach Logan Hughes, who lost 25 pounds himself in between his junior and senior years in high school at Branson 25 years ago, also feels Gamble weight loss is proving beneficial.
“At Har-Ber, (his heat) looked hotter than in the past,” Hughes said. “He looked more mobile, more fluid and more flexible and the arm was moving easier. After that, he said, ‘I’m ready for Tuesday.’
“I'm proud of Jackson,” Hughes added. “He gets what he deserves. He worked really hard to get back.”
Gamble has also been pleasantly surprised to be throwing with the same accuracy he was prior to his sickness.
“I threw a three-pitch mix of fastballs, sliders and cutters today,” he said. “I could throw anything for a strike. I was happy about that.”
Gamble doesn’t think he lost any strength and is going to do his best to keep off the 15 pounds.
“I think most of it was water weight,” he said. “I feel a lot lighter on my feet, a little more explosive and my arm can whip around a little faster.”
Gamble isn’t sure how he caught the virus and wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
“For five days, I was struggling to keep any food or water down,” he said. “It was awful. Lot of time on the couch. It was sad knowing I couldn't keep anything down. I was dehydrated and my muscles were cramping. It wasn't a good time. I don't want any of my teammates to go through that.”
It actually aappeared over the weekend one of Gamble's best friends and fellow pitcher, Colin Kelley, might have caught the same virus. Kelley was sick all day Sunday, but felt better Monday.
Kelley relieved Gamble Tuesday and earned a save with a hitless seventh inning.
The Gamble-Kelley combo was also the route the Eagles rode to their Class 6 District 5 championship and Class 6 Final Four berth last year.
“We treated today like a post-season game, with Gamble going and Kelley in the back end, just like we did last year,” Hughes said.
Gamble was locked in a pitchers duel with Ozark’s Hudson Roberts.
Nixa’s runs came on an RBI single by shortstop Caeden Cloud in the third inning and an RBI single by second baseman Gehrig Eoff in the sixth.
It was a much-welcomed base knock for Eoff, who has suffered through a slump even while hitting the ball relatively well.
“He has had at least five ground balls that I thought he beat out, but was called out. And, he had three lineouts in our last game and hit two more balls hard today,” Hughes said. “I believe it will all even out eventually.”
“I've been barreling balls for the last week or two and been waiting for one to fall," Eoff said. "Getting one to finally fall in a big spot definitely is a good feeling, like all the hard work is paying off. I think that was a sign that the game is paying me back some for doing things the right way.”
Eoff’s average has dipped, but it's hard to say he's been in a slump.
“I had two lineouts right to the center fielder (against Columbia Rock Bridge on Saturday) in back-to-back at-bats,” he said. “You're hitting the ball the best when you're' hitting up the middle like that. That’s the game, though, they don't always fall. There's always another game and another at-bat. You just have to put your best swing on the ball and hope things fall your way.”
Eoff has appreciated the faith Hughes has shown in him by keeping him in the lineup.
“Going to the plate knowing your coach believes in you and your team believes in you is huge in helping you put forth your best effort and have the best at-bat you can,” he said.
Likewise, Eoff has maintained confidence in himself.
“He's not one of those kids who gets in his own head,” Hughes said. “He’s just going to come out and play and knows it's going to happen for him.”
“I've been trusting the process,” Eoff said. “I made some adjustments in my swing since the season started. I've worked on staying on top of and inside the ball. I'm trusting that.”
Another reason Hughes has continued to pencil Eoff’s name on Nixa’s lineup card are the intangibles he brings. Whether he’s had hits or been hitless, Eoff has displayed maturity and remained a constant voice in his two years with the Eagles since transferring from Parkview.
“I’m a team-first guy and I always try to be positive in the dugout,” Eoff said. “I’m trying to keep the team up. I can't control how other guys on the team act or behave in that sense. But I feel that if a guy who is down sees me up that might also pick him up. I love this team. I'll do whatever it takes for us to win.”
