Simmons takes on bigger role for Scott City pitching staff

Scott City pitcher Shae Simmons has developed into a workhorse lately much to the surprise of himself and his coaches.

Whenever Rams coach Lance Amick has made a trip to the mound late in games to ask his junior how his arm feels, Simmons has typically replied, "I'm fine. I want the ball."

"It's just amazing," Amick said. "We never envisioned his arm being able to do that, and we're just happy for him."

Simmons suffered from severe arm soreness throughout his entire high school career until this spring.

The hurler hasn't shown many signs of soreness or fatigue this season.

The junior tossed a complete-game one-hitter in a 3-0 victory over Charleston in the district-title game May 14. He then went all eight innings in a 7-5 extra-inning win over Clearwater in the quarterfinals Wednesday. His pitch count against Charleston was 102. He threw about 140 pitches against Clearwater.

The emergence of Simmons has helped Scott City throughout the season and especially in the postseason.

Simmons, the No. 2 pitcher in the rotation behind Ryan Modglin, has a 6-0 record with a 1.45 ERA in 38 2/3 innings. He has struck out 71 batters.

The rest of the Rams' pitching staff has been just as effective, led by Modglin, who has posted a 7-1 record and a 0.53 ERA in 53 innings.

The Rams (21-1) have a 1.28 earned run average entering Wednesday's Class 2 state semifinal game against Hallsville.

Some uncertainty still remains over whether Simmons or Modglin will be the starting pitcher in the semifinal game.

Amick has been leaning toward Modglin, but he said he's not 100-percent sure. He's going to see how both feel physically as the game draws closer.

Either way, if Simmons starts Wednesday or in the possible title game Thursday, he has proved to Amick he is much stronger. And Amick said he feels much more comfortable starting him in the playoffs because he knows the junior right-hander can pitch deep into a game, unlike last year when he was frequently lifted after about 60 pitches.

"To advance, we're going to put our best shot out there, and we feel like everybody else will, too," Amick said, hinting toward Modglin in the first game. "Seemingly, in that next game it will be our No. 2 versus their No. 2. And I like our No. 2 versus most people's No. 2."

Simmons said he would rather start the second game, while Modglin doesn't have a preference. Modglin feels comfortable with Simmons on the mound.

"He throws just as hard as I do," Modglin said. "He's probably one of the better pitchers around in Southeast Missouri."

Overcoming soreness

Amick said Simmons' soreness could have been due to overuse.

"When we started the season last year, probably three innings at a max he could throw," Amick said. "It was just grueling pain. He'd have to come out of the game. It was just one of those deals, and he's a real strong kid as far as pain tolerance goes. ... Bottom line is he had a problem with duration on his arm."

Amick, who was also one of Simmons' American Legion coaches, said that during the summer he limited Simmons to a maximum three innings per outing.

The goal for the summer was to let his arm rest and repair itself. While also limiting his throwing, Simmons began weight lifting exercises, which focused on strengthening the smaller muscles in his upper arm, his rotator cuff and the ligaments in his elbow.

Simmons, who previously had played football, decided not to go out for the team his senior year. He said he wanted to concentrate on his lifting, which he did seven days a week.

He also worked with team trainer Matt Holder.

"Bottom line is we strengthened it over the summer, all through the winter months," Amick said. "We did a lot of dumbbell and different strengthening things, different lifts and just some light throwing at targets. He'd come in and he threw from about December to the start of baseball. ... We probably threw 10 bullpens inside."

When Simmons pitched the seven-inning game against Charleston, he certainly amazed himself.

"He told [the coaches] afterward he would have never envisioned himself being able to throw a seven-inning ballgame," Amick said. "It's a credit to his commitment to the weight room."

Always up for a laugh

Most Rams players classify Simmons as a comedian.

Catcher Cody Carlyle discussed some of the personality differences between Simmons and Modglin.

"There's a huge personality difference between them," Carlyle said. "Shae is more of the goofball-type guy, and Ryan is more serious. I try to go out there and make [Modglin] laugh every now and then whenever he's struggling, but he's like, 'I don't want to smile, so stop.' Shae gets serious, but he knows how to be serious and be joking."

Simmons describes himself as a confident pitcher, although he says Modglin probably has more confidence on the mound.

"I'm kind of worry-free, I guess," Simmons said. "What happens, happens."

Amick said he has equal confidence in both on the mound.

"We feel like with Ryan and Shae, that as long as they're on, they're going to give us a chance to win," Amick said.

Simmons has been throwing about 70 to 80 percent in practice. He thinks he threw better in the district championship game because he was more rested. Simmons, who can throws in the 80s, added that to be effective he'll need to do a good job of changing speeds.

"I like to change the speed up a lot," Simmons said. "Throw different pitches -- the curveball and the fastball mostly."

Besides Modglin and Simmons, Scott City has pitchers Josh Henson and Skylar Cobb who could see relief work this week.

Henson has a 3-0 record with a 2.10 ERA in 20 innings, while Cobb has a 3-0 record with a 2.10 ERA in 13 1/3 innings.

Both Modglin and Simmons said they would be up for some possible starting and relieving on back-to-back days.

"I've never done that, but I'll do whatever it takes," Simmons said.