May 15, 2006

The Student-Athlete of the Week allows fans to learn more about the outstanding student-athletes who represent St. Bonaventure University. This week's edition features senior John Zinnicker, a left-handed pitcher from Painesville, Ohio. Going into the final week of the regular season, the Bonnies' No. 1 starter is 6-2 with a 2.51 ERA. He has won his last five decisions and has been a major part of St. Bonaventure's charge into the top of the A-10 standings.

You came to Bonaventure as a highly-recruited pitcher, but it took you time to adjust to Division I college baseball. What have been the biggest challenges?

JZ: In high school, I played in the lowest division in the state of Ohio. I'm not saying it was easy, but all I had to do was throw the ball by people. As soon as I got here, I figured out it wasn't all that easy to play in college. I was wild. I had to adjust to be successful. The first couple years, it didn't really work for me.

What was your repertoire of pitches when you were in high school? How did you work on adding to that? What is your repertoire now and what is your "out" pitch?

JZ: I had a fastball and a 12-to-6 curveball and that was it. I used to throw more over-the-top, but I've changed my arm slot. That's what I had to do to get better movement on the ball. When I was coming straight over the top, (pitches) were basically coming straight down to the plate. Also I had to develop a change-up and develop my curveball a little bit more. Now I have the change-up and a slider, plus my fastball and a curve. The slider's my out pitch. I'll throw it basically at any point in the count. It doesn't matter. I feel like I have the most control over it, other than a fastball.

Were you surprised that it took you three years to work your way into the starting rotation? Was it frustrating?

JZ: Coach (Larry Sudbrook) told me it might take a couple years to become a (conference) starter. I basically expected to pitch mid-week. The past two years, I just didn't develop that quickly. I was more disappointed in myself.

So what has "clicked" this year?

JZ: Basically, I have more confidence on the mound. I'm spotting my pitches better. A little bit of luck here and there ... everything's working all together.

Do you feel almost as if your team has overachieved, given some of the injuries?

ML: A lot of people would say we have overachieved, but I expect to win. No one wants to lose, so we go out and do what we can do to win.

Approaching these last few weeks of the season, how do you feel about the team? Is there more pressure playing for the conference title?

JZ: I feel loose. I don't feel any pressure on me. I just want to go out there and do what I do. We're fighting for the No. 1 or No. 2 seed. I don't feel nervous for this final (Richmond) series. We're in good shape overall.

Is there a certain point in the season or a certain series that you can look back to and say that propelled you to the season this team is having?

JZ: I think the Charlotte series put us over the top. After we took two out of three, we gained the confidence that we could beat anybody.

Given that you and Cody Vincent need to throw a lot of innings because your bullpen does not have a lot of depth, does that put more pressure on you? Are you at all tired physically?

JZ: I kind of feel obligated to go more innings because of that, but I don't feel any extra pressure. Coach always asks me if I am getting tired (in a game). He tries to get us to the seventh and eighth inning. I don't ever want to come out of games, but if I'm feeling like we're in trouble, then I want the best pitcher out there.

Do you do a lot of preparation work for opposing teams?

JZ: Obviously we don't have video to watch, but I go on Web sites and look at stats ... who's hitting what, who has home runs, stolen bases, even the pitcher I'm going up against. Funny thing is, my girlfriend does it for me, too. She'll tell me who the best hitters are.

Growing up and today, who is your pitching role model?

JZ: I always looked up to Randy Johnson. I always wanted to be the guy who could throw 98 miles an hour. I always was lanky and taller than everyone. The guy who influenced me most, though, was my brother. He's eight years older than me and he'd throw baseballs at me. I'd get ticked off and try to throw back harder. It was always a competition, me trying to beat him.

After the season ends, what do you plan to do?

JZ: Of course the ultimate goal is to go with a professional team. I've been getting contacts here and there. It's always been my goal to play professional baseball. If that doesn't work, I would like to go into corrections work or go to grad school.