Auburn's Woodall just wants the ball

BY CHRISTA TURNER --

AUBURN, Ala. --

Auburn closer adjusts to role

Auburn pitcher Bryan Woodall has a ritual with coach Tom Slater.

Before every game, Slater approaches Woodall, asking him if his arm is OK and if he's available to pitch. Woodall always answers yes. He wants the ball.

"I haven't had a day this year where I've said I wanted to rest," Woodall said. "I love being in a game and the tight situations that come with closing. My mentality has changed since moving to closer, and I think it fits me better."

Woodall is off to a solid start as Auburn's closer this year, recording eight saves in 18 appearances. The Tigers, full of freshmen in the roster, have surprised many in the Southeastern Conference this season. After being chosen to finish last in the division, they were in second place in the West entering last weekend.

Woodall's change from starter to closer last year when need forced Slater to move Woodall, who opened the season well as a starter, into the bullpen.

"I love his confidence," Slater said. "He wants the ball. With Woody, you've got a guy that throws strikes and is a great competitor. He loves being in the mix."

A year ago, the Tigers needed a strong-armed pitcher with the ability to throw more than once in a weekend. Woodall became that person. At the time, he was Auburn's Friday night starter.

"Our bullpen was having problems," Woodall, a junior, said. "Even though I was starting, I was ready to throw again on Sunday. Of the three starters, I was the one most able to bounce back and help us multiple days. Coach approached me, and I told him I'd do what was best for the team. I just want to win games."

Winning comes naturally to Woodall, who earned Class 6A player of the year honors while at Central-Phenix City. Woodall first grabbed attention while part of the 1999 U.S. champion Little League team out of Phenix City.

Woodall spent last summer preparing for his full-time move to closer for the Tigers. He played for the Winchester Royals in the Valley League. Although he didn't play the entire summer, he had a successful stint, going 2-2 with a 3.26 ERA in 19 1/3 innings with just three walks and 21 strikeouts.

"We had another talk (after the summer)," Woodall said. "That's what he told me to work on. I had to get my arm in shape. It's a big change. It's a totally different workout getting my arm in shape and working my body to be able to throw two to three times a weekend."

Woodall said his workouts changed. As a starting pitcher, he did lighter weights with more repetitions and would go for long runs. Now, he needs strength and stamina for one or two strong innings. Now, he works on sprints and adds heavier weight training.

The closer mentality is something Woodall says he has embraced now.

"I would love to stick with closing," Woodall said. "I think I've had more success and more fun. I show up at the ball park everyday, and know I have chance to have an impact on the game."

"He's got a great ability to come in at the end of the game," Slater said. "He's a great competitor and has good life on his fastball. Coach (Butch) Thompson has done a nice job helping him get his breaking ball faster. He's done a really good job."

Woodall just wants the ball.