By Bruce Campbell, Commentary
Enid News and Eagle
ENID —
Don’t adjust your glasses if you’re seeing double when Edmond Santa Fe plays Enid in high school baseball action at 7 tonight at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.
The Enid pitcher and catcher (Mike and Joe Phillips) should look alike because they’re twins.
“It’s really special,’’ said Joe about catching his brother. “Not many people can say they catch their twin brother.’’
“He took the words out of my mouth,’’ said Mike with a smile. “It is special.’’
The battery admits they often think as one as only twins can do.
“I definitely have a better connection with Mike than I do the other pitchers,’’ Joe said. “I know what he’s thinking.’’
“I can tell when he gets upset with me,’’ Mike said.
Joe’s ‘’look’’ can say a thousand words.
“He knows what it means,’’ said Joe with a chuckle.
“He doesn’t have to say it,’’ Mike said. “I know exactly what he’s saying.’’
The two have tried unsuccessfully to fool friends or teachers. Some of their teammates had fun with Sand Springs Saturday when Mike started on the mound the first game and Joe the second.
“They were telling them it was the same pitcher,’’ Mike said.
The Phillips brothers would be an uplifting story even without the twins angle.
Mike has gone from being a little-used pitcher (0-1, 8.23 ERA in 101⁄3 innings a year ago) to being the Plainsmen’s ace (5-4). He has thrown back-to-back shutouts against Woodward and Sand Springs.
Joe had only 10 at bats last year, but is hitting around .300 and has hit three home runs as the team’s No. 1 catcher.
Mike is a control artist. He walked only one against Sand Springs Friday.
“I throw strikes and try not to walk people,’’ Mike said. “I stay calm. As long as you put it in the strike zone and not walk people, you have a chance of winning.
“Changing speeds has been a big key for me. If you can control all three pitches, you’re going to win the game.’’
Joe said he’s just been seeing the ball well.
“I didn’t expect to hit that many home runs,’’ he said. “I just go out and hit the ball. If it happens, it happens.’’
Both, said Enid coach James Peoples, are a prime example of why the 16-13 Plainsmen are reloading instead of rebuilding.
“They have stepped up,’’ Peoples said. “We noticed last summer (in AAA Legion) they could step up and they have done it in a big way.’’
Mike said he learned while watching last year’s aces Seth Sturgeon, now at Hutchison (Kan.) Community College and Tobin Mateychick, now at Wichita State University.
“I got a lot of experience as a starting pitcher last summer,’’ he said. “That prepared me. Now, I’m very confident. I want the ball every time and go out and win.’’
Joe said he knew it was his time to step up after sitting on the bench as a sophomore and junior.
“It was finally my turn,’’ he said. “I’m glad I got the opportunity to step up and try to do my part.’’
The two share a love for the Detroit Tigers. Lil Wayne is their favorite musical artist.
But Joe’s favorite food is pizza while Mike prefers steak.
Joe’s favorite major league player is catcher Pudge Rodriguez while Mike’s is pitcher Justin Verlander.
They each are their biggest fan.
“Joe is always ready,’’ Mike said. “If I throw it in the dirt, I know he’s going to block it.’’
“Mike can throw strikes and he keeps batters off balance,’’Joe said.
Tonight’s game will be the home finale for the twins along with fellow seniors Miguel Bretado, McLain Clemens, Seth Floyd, Kaleb Hulva, Christian Lafontan, Shane Pendleton, Erick Ramirez and Willie Vidal.
Lafontan (5-1) will pitch at Jenks at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the regular season finale. Enid will play Midwest City at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the first round of the regional tournament at Owasso. All the games can be heard on KCRC (1390 AM).
“It’s going to be tough knowing this is the last time we’ll play in this beautiful ballpark,’’ Mike said.
“It’s definitely special,’’ Joe said. “Hopefully, we can come out with a win.’’
The two knowthe day will come when they won’t be playing together.
They would like to play college baseball together, but would be prepared for a possible separation.
“It would be nice to play together, but we know we might have to go apart,’’ Joe said.
What would happen if twin faced twin?
“I would dust him off with the first pitch,’’ Mike said.
“I would hit a home run and look at the mound across home plate,’’ Joe said.
“I’ll strike him out,’’ Mike said.
They just want to enjoy the moment.
“I don’t want it to end,’’ Mike said. “We’re having a good season. Hopefully, we can go to Owasso and make it back to the state tournament.’’
“It’s been a special connection,’’ Joe said. “We didn’t know we would get this chance. We want to make the most out of it.’’
