SAN FRANCISCO — Kyle Zimmer wasn't even supposed to be a pitcher.
The La Jolla, Calif., native was a slugging third baseman at La Jolla High School and came to The Hilltop as such. But when he arrived, he was behind all-West Coast Conference third baseman Stephen Yarrow on the depth chart.
So, head coach Nino Giarratano tried Zimmer's strong cross-infield arm coming out of the bullpen as a freshman in 2010.
It was the start of something special.
Zimmer only threw 5 1/3 innings in his first collegiate season, but he struck out seven in what was just five appearances – a preview of things to come.