This is all you need to know about Danny Coulombe: Anytime he pitches, Chaparral has a chance to win. A great chance. This year, Coulombe has been virtually unhittable. So far, he is 6-0 for the 15-5 Firebirds with an 0.72 earned run average and an amazing 78 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched. He has walked just nine.

It might be the most dominant pitching performance over an extended period in the storied history of Chaparral baseball. Because of Coulombe, the Firebirds are regarded as a favorite to claim their eighth state championship. In all-important region games, Chaparral is undefeated.

Before this season even began, Coulombe was recruited by virtually every major college program in America and committed last fall to the University of Southern California, perhaps the most renowned program in college baseball.

He does not look so dominant, standing under 6-foot tall and with a friendly demeanor. But when he takes the mound, he devastates hitters with a two left-handed breaking balls – one thrown harder than the other – delivered effortlessly with command and movement that make them ever so elusive to those hoping to make contact. It, in fact, is a hope that is almost never fulfilled. And if a batter manages to hit the ball, it is mostly with embarrassing feebleness. Add to that a fast ball that has improved each year and that can reach into the 90s, it is no surprise that Coulombe has become so important to Chaparral.

“He is the key to our team,” Chaparral Coach Jerry Dawson says matter-of-factly. “On the days he is pitching, we can beat anyone.”

Coulombe always has been good, but he first truly emerged on the Arizona baseball scene two years ago in USA Baseball’s Junior Olympics, an event that includes intense recruiting of players throughout the 64-team field. Coulombe was not overlooked, but was not hotly pursued. All he did was demonstrate that he clearly was the top pitcher in the tournament and led an under-the-radar Scottsdale Storm team (comprised mostly of Chaparral junior varsity players) to a finish among the event’s final 8. He beat a top-level Los Angeles team 2-0, handcuffing the bigger and stronger opponents through seven innings and allowing just two hits. Last year, he amazed professional scouts and college coaches with his late-game pitching heroics in an extra-inninng quarter-final victory over Agua Fria and ace Sammy Solis, now starring at the University of San Diego.

He’s better now, says Dawson.

“He is a pitcher this year no matter what the circumstances,” says the coach. “Last years, at times he would revert to being a thrower. His understanding and approach makes all the difference. Even when he does not have his best stuff, he locates and changes spots. He knows how to get people out.”

But that is not all. Coulombe, who splits time between the outfield and designated hitter when he is not pitching, leads Chaparral with a .488 average.

He can do it all. Just call him Superman.

Notes – Chaparral faces Sandra Day O’Connor today in a much-anticipated matchup of the two teams considered the top contenders for the Class 4A Division I State Championship. The two teams are ranked one and two in all the polls. Dawson places high importance on the outcome at Chaparral’s field. “At this stage, they are all big. It is especially important in evaluating where we are and where we need to get to. It will be interesting. O’Connor is a very good team.”

Still, the Desert Sky Region is more important. Thus, Dawson will save his most important pitching for the region games next week. Today, it will be pitching by committee. Expect the committee to get the job done.