There, thanks mostly to the wooden bats he faced, he learned to rely on his talent and his pitches. Throwing strikes became the goal, not trying to simply find the corners.
``It all goes back to not being afraid to work in the strike zone,'' Kown said Wednesday. ``Pitching against the wood gave me all the confidence in the world to go right after guys.''
That strategy certainly worked, helping Kown compile a 10-1 record with a 3.49 ERA heading into the NCAA super regional against Georgia. The best-of-three series starts Friday.
Last year, as a sophomore, Kown spent most of his time working out of the bullpen, finishing 3-2 with only five starts. He had a 4.65 ERA and the Yellow Jackets were swept in their own NCAA regional.
Kown returned from Alaska a different pitcher, and after going four innings in relief during his first appearance of 2004, he moved into the rotation. Like most of his teammates, he was at his best down the stretch, when Georgia Tech reeled off 23 victories in 25 games.
He won nine straight, including a 5-3 victory over Texas Tech on Sunday to clinch a trip to the super regional.
``I think Andrew Kown is probably the most improved pitcher in the country,'' Georgia Tech catcher Mike Nickeas said. ``We probably wouldn't be where we are without him; he's just had an incredible season.''
Kown hardly is the only star in the team's rotation. Gainesville's Micah Owings is the No. 1 starter, and he carries a 9-2 record into the opener against the Bulldogs. He's followed by Kown in Game 2.
If either of them get into trouble, Brian Burks is ready to come out of the bullpen. He's been the utilityman of the staff, making 14 starts and also working as a reliever during his senior season. He would start Game 3, if he's available.
Only 5-foot-9, Burks isn't as imposing on the mound as Owings (6-5) or Kown (6-7). He has a different style, too, relying on location to fool hitters.
``I can't do what they can do,'' said Burks, who is 8-5 with a 4.56 ERA. ``They can go out there and get guys out with their stuff, really just overwhelm them. Then when I pitch, it's entirely different. I think it helps me out, because hitters have to completely change their approach.''
In the regional, Burks didn't need that. He started the opener against Jacksonville State and gave up only two earned runs in eight innings, helping the Yellow Jackets win 16-3.
``That was huge,'' Owings said. ``In a tournament like that, winning that first game is so important. We got to stay out of the loser's bracket and were able to move on.''
Owings did his part the next night, also pitching eight innings and allowing two earned runs. He tied a career high with nine strikeouts matching a total he's had on two other occasions and walked only one.
He stayed in long enough to throw 131 pitches, giving him a whopping total of 277 in his past two starts. He threw 146 in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament against Clemson.
``He just battles out there,'' Nickeas said. ``It's always nice when one of your best players on the team is the hardest worker. He's no prima donna, he's as blue collar as they come.''
At this point, Owings isn't worried about his workload.
``My arm feels great, as good as it has all season,'' he said. ``That's why they've left me in as long as they have. I've got no problems.''
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/6/157748