Lindberg key to Bishops' hopes

Jimmy Lindberg had a memorable role in Bishop England's unforgettable baseball season last spring.

The left-handed pitcher posted a 7-1 record with a 1.70 ERA and also provided steady defense at first base for the Bishops, who finished with a 27-2 record and won the Class AA state championship. He was more than capable at the plate with a .422 batting average, collecting seven doubles and six homers to drive in 41 runs.

His performance in the title game against Chesnee was a microcosm of his season. He scattered six hits and struck out 11 batters in 6 1/3 innings of work, allowing only one run as the Bishops swept the championship series 2-0.

In the bottom of the seventh inning of the title game, he walked, advanced to second on a walk to Corey Forrester and scored the winning run when Brian Solomon slapped a single to right field to give the Bishops a 2-1 decision and its fourth title in seven years.

Now, Lindberg must make the transition from the No. 2 spot in the pitching rotation to No. 1.

Ryan Connolly was the ace of the staff last spring, but now pitches for Coastal Carolina. Coach Bill Collier said Lindberg is in the running for the role as the team's No. 1 pitcher.

"He has to make the transition, and he can't put too much pressure on himself," said Collier, who begins his third year as head coach and owns a 53-10 record in the span. "We have four or five players who are capable pitchers. Drew Bastian and David Dunlay should challenge Jimmy. Whoever gets it, we don't want to put too much pressure on them."

Lindberg is ready for the challenge. He's one of the top junior left-handers in the state and accepts the added responsibility after a successful sophomore campaign.

"I don't think too much about that transition," said Lindberg, who also plays for the nationally ranked Diamond Devils program. "I'll do what needs to be done. I just want to get better and make this team get better. We seem to win state championships every year, and I want to win back-to-back."

Lindberg loves a challenge and played football for the Bishops last year. He played "bandit" and suffered a shoulder injury against Wando in the Sertoma Classic. Fortunately for Lindberg, it was his right shoulder.

"The doctor told me if it was my left shoulder, I would not be playing baseball this spring," he said.

He's healthy and is ready as the Bishops prepare to start the 2010 season by defending their championship in the Coastal Invitational Tournament, which commences Thursday.

"We play Waccamaw, Dillon and Chesterfield in the first three games of the tournament," Collier said. "Then we play Summerville in the second game after the tournament and Wando in the third game after the tournament. I tell the kids they have to be ready. But I tell them it is a race, and it's not how you begin -- it's how you finish."

The Bishops lost some key players from the championship team, but should be a force in Class AA this spring. Senior Alex Abrams, who batted .444 last spring and is headed to Furman, anchors the infield, while junior Morgan Bastian provides a good glove and solid bat as a center fielder. He hit .495 and led the squad with 45 hits.

And then there's Lindberg, who relies on a curve and a fastball that tails off as it nears the strike zone.

If he turns out the be the Bishops' ace, the Bishops could be kings of Class AA again.