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Ridge Point’s Gradisar dominating postseason after Tommy John surgery
Kellen Gradisar is happy to be pitching again. It’s been a long time coming.
The Ridge Point junior right-hander had his sophomore season washed out after blowing out his elbow in the first inning of the first game of the season. Gradisar lasted just six pitches, with no soreness or warning.
“Initially, he was disappointed,” coach Clint Welch said. “He’s a competitor, and here we are in the first tournament of the year, and he goes down.”
On March 10, 2021, Gradisar was told he would need to undergo Tommy John surgery. Ten days later, he underwent the procedure that repairs a torn ulnar collateral ligament inside the elbow.
From there, Gradisar relied on his determination, work ethic and desire.
Rehabbing with physical trainers three days every week, Gradisar somehow worked his way back onto the field in 10 months. He was cleared to play around the time the Panthers started preseason practices in late January.
Little by little this season, Gradisar has methodically worked his way back. And now, in these playoffs, he has emerged as arguably Ridge Point’s No. 1 arm heading into this week’s Class 6A state semifinal against Southlake Carroll on Friday.
Gradisar, who doesn’t expect to be at complete full health until November, has been exceptionally dominant in the postseason, going 5-0 with an 0.82 ERA and 18 strikeouts to five walks over 34 innings. He has been Ridge Point’s Game 1 starter in the last three playoff series.
“It’s been amazing,” Welch said. “They get better and better at the surgery and with the rehab, as far as the medical side. It seems like the recovery time for the ones who work hard, and Kellen is one of those, seems to be shortening a bit for a lot of these guys. Late in the season, he’s been throwing well, throwing complete games, and has not wanted to come out.”
Ridge Point junior pitcher Kellen Gradisar.Courtesy
Gradisar has thrown at least six innings in every playoff start. Four of his five starts are complete games.
Sixty-five percent of his pitches have gone for strikes. Over the last three starts, he’s allowed just two earned runs.
“I definitely give credit to Coach Welch and (assistant) Coach (Michael) Dutka for their pitch decisions, as well as me being able to throw first-pitch strikes,” Gradisar said.
Gradisar has three primary pitches: fastball, curveball, changeup. He can throw any of them consistently for strikes. His best pitch is his curveball, and he can throw it any time in the count to keep hitters off balance.
His fastball tops out at 87 miles per hour.
“I feel like the recovery got me stronger, and just the fact I am able to pitch again gives me confidence to be better,” Gradisar said. “I’m already a better pitcher now, but, because of surgery, I lost a lot of weight and I’m still trying to get it back. I’m hoping by the end of summer, I’m close to full potential.”
Gradisar was under a strict pitch count when he returned to the field this season.
During the opening tournament, coaches tried to keep him around 30-40 pitches. The next week, it went up by 10 as his arm continued to show improvement.
Through much of district play, Welch and Dutka kept him under 60 pitches. During the postseason, Gradisar’s total number of pitches by start have been 89, 99, 100, 92, 93.
He averages about 14 pitches thrown per inning.
“He’s pitching efficient,” Welch said. “Going into his sophomore year, we had him penciled in as at least the No. 2 starter. He could always execute and throw three different pitches consistently for strikes. When you can do that, you can get people out at any level.
“What we’re seeing this year is what we thought we were going to get last year. We always had a high opinion of him.”
\u201cPitched a complete game, 2-1 Ridge Point victory against Katy Tompkins during 6A regional quarter finals. 20 innings pitched during playoffs with a .35 ERA. @RPHSBaseball @PBR_Texas @OFFSEASON_BB @baseball_expos @FlatgroundApp\u201d— Kellen Gradisar (@Kellen Gradisar) 1653171012
First-pitch strikes and trusting his defense is Gradisar’s recipe for a successful return. He commends the athleticism and speed of outfielders Carter Groen, Mason Dossett and Owen Farris. He applauds infielders Travis Vlasek, Zion Stephens, Parker Martin and Justin Vossos for their playmaking and aggressiveness.
Gradisar said catcher JJ Kennett has been crucial because of his poise and pitch framing ability.
“We have a lot of talent on the bump, but it helps as a pitcher knowing you can trust your defense when the other team hits it,” Gradisar said.
For his part, Welch praises Gradisar. Not only in his prolific pitch repertoire, but in how he is always unflappable on the mound. Never rushed, never panicked.
“Great composure,” Welch said.
Gradisar knows what it’s like to battle and fight, to push and prod. He knows adversity well.
He’s overcoming it well, too.
“You know when you get that surgery that it’ll probably be at least a year before you’re back,” Welch said. “But he did what competitors do. He got over the disappointment, started looking forward, got focused, got the surgery done, knew exactly what he had to do for rehab and followed all the protocols. It was no surprise to us that he was back within the year timeframe because of the work ethic that he has. It’s been incredible.”
Friendswood’s own Benavides guiding Mustangs back to state
Friendswood is going to the state baseball tournament for the first time since 2008. A former Mustang is taking it there.
In Cory Benavides’ fourth year as head coach, Friendswood is headed back to Round Rock after finishing as a regional finalist last season. The Class of 2006 Mustang, a former baseball and football standout, is a Friendswood lifer.
“A 12-year senior,” Benavides said, laughing.
Benavides was raised in Friendswood. He played shortstop and pitched for the Mustangs. He only left for his college years, starting at Angelina Junior College in Lufkin before finishing at Stephen F. Austin. He returned to initiate his coaching career at Friendswood Junior High in 2013 before moving on to the high school.
“I’m just very blessed how it all worked out,” Benavides said. “It’s one of those things where I’ve always wanted to be a coach, having been a leader on a bunch of teams, and one of the goals is you want to win it all. I’ve always prepared myself for taking a team all the way, and Lord willing, we have a chance to do that.”
The Mustangs (29-7-1) play Mansfield Legacy (32-9) in the Class 5A semifinal Thursday at Dell Diamond.
“Even if I was at another school, it’d be an awesome feeling to take a team to the state tournament,” Benavides said. “But being from Friendswood makes it more special. It’s incredible. But our job is to go out and play baseball. We have to make this as normal as possible.”
Benavides was a natural leader in high school. The ultimate competitor who wanted to win for his teammates and his community. Leading is something Benavides said was “God given.”
He is the same way now as he was then. Benavides makes a determined effort to be a prominent influence for his players today just like he made a concerted effort to be a role model for his teammates as a varsity three-year letterman.
“He’s done everything he can to make sure we’re prepared every single day,” said senior Dylan Maxcey, who arrived on campus in Benavides’ first year as head coach. “Every practice, he brings the energy. Talent alone doesn’t take you this far. He’s done an amazing job with relationships, making sure his guys are OK, making sure we’re all taken care of, while also staying on us about the little things.”
Cory Benavides (front, left) being introduced as Friendswood High's baseball coach four years ago.Courtesy
Benavides is all about the intangibles. When he got the head coaching job, he knew he wanted to do things different.
His main goal and primary teaching point is mental toughness.
“That’s No. 1 for us,” Benavides said. “If we have effort and we’re mentally tough, everything else will take care of itself. Just because of where we are, Friendswood has a legacy of having good athletes, good baseball players. So how did I want to get over the hump? It was mental toughness.”
How did he get the Mustangs here? For one, Benavides repeats himself. A lot. Early in the day and often throughout.
“First and foremost is to let them know, and not to just say it once and expect them to do it,” he said. “It’s a day in and day out conversation.”
Benavides also made the weight room an emphasis. The Mustangs lifted 3-4 times a week during the fall. But the key was just getting players in there, whether it was for 6:30 a.m. sessions or after school.
“You win games in the weight room,” Benavides said. “Not only does it make you physically better, but it makes you mentally tough. You’re going to fail there, too, and it’s all about learning how to fail and get back up and keep going. Getting in there and doing that work is the first step, the biggest step.”
These Mustangs fight. They never give up. They are loaded with big time NCAA Division I talents, but they work. They grind.
They understand the moment, the opportunity at hand. Especially now.
“This is another game for us,” Benavides said. “You’ve still got to throw, catch, throw strikes, hit, make good decisions. When it gets to this point, every team is good. But who’s going to do the routine stuff better?”
Because of their work and preparation, the Mustangs are confident it will be them. They trust in Benavides and his process. And they believe in him because they know he cares.
Benavides was one of them. He walked the same halls to classes. He ate in the same cafeteria. He dove for ground balls and took swings wearing the same colors.
“I grew up here my whole life,” he said. “It’s a small town. The community is really involved. I came back because I wanted my family and my children to grow up here and experience all this as well. It’s home.”
Coaching Friendswood to state is personal for Benavides. His players know that, understand that, and are playing like it.
“I think this means the world to him,” Maxcey said. “It’s even bigger to him to lead us as a head coach. He’s who we look up to when we need help or energy or anything. Without a doubt, we know he’s our first call if we ever need anything. We fight for Coach B.”