Rams’ Andrews: a slanted perspective

For VCU pitcher Robbie Andrews, changing his delivery 25 percent has made a 100 percent difference in how he feels.

The rising senior appeared in 17 games for the Rams last year, finishing with a 5.56 ERA. That's when he decided it was time for something new.

"I kind of took my career into my hands on this one," he said.

Changing from a sidearm delivery to a three-quarters one, he's mowing down opponents in the Coastal Plain League, where he's the closer for the No. 1 summer-league team in America, the Forest City (N.C.) Owls.

The right-hander's success was validated yesterday with a selection to the league's all-star game. In 141/3 innings this summer, he's allowed no runs and just eight hits -- all singles -- while not walking any batters.

Standing 6-3, he describes himself as tall and lanky. He used to throw with the three-quarters delivery in high school, and now that he's back to it, he said his approach feels more natural.

"I did it a little at VCU, but now the windup is different," he said. "I think it's more deceptive."

He's also made another adjustment, going from starting pitching to the bullpen, where he's caught on as a closer.

In 10 save opportunities this year, he's converted all 10. He said he'd discuss a possible move to relief pitching with his coaches when he returns to VCU for his senior season.

For now he's soaking in the atmosphere in what he describes as "one of the best places to play in the country."

Forest City won 24 games in the first half of the Coastal Plain season to set a league record. The team was ranked No. 1 in a national poll of wood-bat leagues that includes the prestigious Cape Cod League.

The Owls play in the same league as the Petersburg Generals, but due to an unbalanced schedule will not make an appearance in Petersburg this season.

"We all come to the ballpark every day thinking we're going to win," he said. "It brings back memories of the 2007 year at VCU."

That team advanced to the NCAA tournament.

Andrews will get another chance to shine on a big stage next Tuesday in Wilmington, N.C., when he participates in the Coastal Plain League All-Star Game.

The accomplishment is not entirely foreign to Andrews, who made the Valley Baseball League's all-star game each of the past two years as a member of his hometown Covington Lumberjacks.

This time it will be against a higher caliber of competition, and he's looking to take what he's learned about his new delivery back to campus this year for his senior season with the Rams.

"I'm feeling way more comfortable now," he said. "It's made a huge difference."

Contact Michael Phillips at (804) 649-6546 or .