Rumson-Fair Haven High鈥檚 Jackson Hinchliffe gives Virginia Canes baseball spark on mound
RUMSON, N.J. (BVM) — When Jackson Hinchliffe took over for the Virginia Canes American 17U team during the team鈥檚 second game of the Geico Baseball City Series, he was facing long odds to come away victorious. After his teammate Travis Camp struggled in the first inning against the Wisconsin Hitters, sacrificing four runs and leaving the game with the bases loaded and no outs, it was up to Hinchliffe to take over and stop the bleeding. Though he would give up a sacrifice fly, Hinchliffe would end the inning with his team down 5-0 which seemed like a relative win for both he and the team based on the situation he was thrust into.
The Canes would eventually rally in the bottom of the first to take a 6-5 lead and, thanks to five scoreless innings thrown by Hinchliffe, would earn a 7-5 win. Hinchliffe would earn the victory for the team by doing what he has always done, staying calm and trusting his arm.
鈥淲e bounced back fast after giving up five in the first inning,鈥� Hinchliffe said. 鈥淚 just trusted my defense, got outs, made contact and let the players do the work.鈥�
Last season, the Fair Haven, N.J. native would excel as a sophomore for a strong Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School team. As the team鈥檚 opening day pitcher, Hinchliffe started the Bulldogs on the right foot with a six inning performance in which he fanned 11 and only surrendered two runs on four hits in the team鈥檚 11-2 victory.
For the season, the young starter would go 4-4 for a Bulldogs team that won its first Monmouth County Tournament Championship in program history. During the campaign, Hinchliffe would pitch 35.1 innings, giving up 20 earned runs, good for a 3.98 ERA, while striking out 42 batters. Though the stats may not jump out on paper, his strikeout rate in particular is quite impressive when calculated over seven innings (the typical length of a high school game) as it sits at just over eight strikeouts a contest at 8.38.
鈥淲hen my name鈥檚 called I just throw strikes, do whatever I have to do, be myself and get outs,鈥� Hinchliffe said.
While facing another top state program in the Hitters, it wasn鈥檛 Hinchliffe鈥檚 strikeouts that was getting the job done, but rather his ability to switch up pitches. With a fastball that sits in the high 80s and a curveball that shows a lot of movement, Hinchliffe was able to keep the Hitters鈥� batters guessing as he forced the team into many weakly hit pop ups and ground outs.
鈥淚 like to move quick, keep a good tempo,鈥� Hinchliffe said. 鈥淚 think that keeps all the fielders engaged and they made great plays so I just gave them a chance giving them contact and letting them do the work.鈥�
Hinchliffe saw the game as a confidence booster as he knew the type of competition he was facing when every batter stepped up to the plate.
鈥淸Playing nationally] gains confidence,鈥� Hinchliffe said. 鈥淚f I can get these guys out, I can get high school hitters out. This is what I鈥檓 going to be facing in college so it鈥檚 just getting me ready for that.鈥�
Though he may still be young, the rising junior definitely drew some eyes to him with his performance. With more time to improve his repertoire, Hinchliffe will likely become a highly recruited pitcher by the time his high school career begins to wind down. Until then, he will continue to help the Canes increase their national reputation while also trying to help the Rumson-Fair Haven Bulldogs program continue to reach unseen heights.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a moment of a lifetime,鈥� Hinchliffe said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a great summer. 鈥� We鈥檙e just going to keep doing what we do and try to win it all.鈥�
