By Brett Hudson

Contributing Writer

All baseball teams in today’s competitive world need that one ace pitcher they can count on to keep the best of the best subdued. That starter is the one they turn to in the playoffs; he is the guy who puts together performances of epic proportions right when the team needs it most, and the guy that professional teams are throwing obnoxious amounts of money at to bring to their team.

For the Crimson Tide, that ace is Nathan Kilcrease, senior right-hander – a job that he has embraced and done well.

“I take this role as an opportunity to learn something new every week,” Kilcrease said. “I try to be a leader, lead by example week in and week out, and better myself for the betterment of the team.”

Kilcrease has been using his experience to help his younger teammates with the transition to big-time, Southeastern Conference baseball.

“Younger guys approach me and ask me how I grip certain pitches or how I approach certain situations mentally,” Kilcrease said.

The on-field, technical aspect of baseball isn’t what Kilcrease sees as his biggest impact on the team, though.

“My main goal is to motivate them, keep their spirits up,” Kilcrease said. “I tell them that I know we’re going through a tough stretch, but we’ll get through it. I mean, you have to believe you’re good, or you wouldn’t be here.”

Kilcrease has been a consistent performer for the Tide all season long, including having a 4-1 record and a 1.90 ERA at one point in the season.

His consistency hasn’t affected his big-time performance ability, pitching a complete-game shutout against Kentucky on March 25 while tallying six strikeouts and not walking a single batter.

His stellar play has gotten him noticed by some teams in the MLB.

“I talked to a few teams before the season started,” Kilcrease said. “I talked to the Royals, and a few others, too. The Mariners and the Giants, and a few others.”

Looking into his future, size could be a problem for the Mini-Me of Alabama baseball, measuring at 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds, according to rolltide.com.

“No one [with the MLB] talked about my size like that,” Kilcrease said. “They said, ‘Yeah, you’re undersized, but you have the ability to do this.’”

Despite the MLB’s vote of confidence, fans continue to break out their amateur stand-up comedy routines.

“I’ve heard my fair share of short jokes,” Kilcrease said. “I’ve heard people say, ‘Cut the grass, [Kilcrease] can’t see the plate!’”

That doesn’t stop him from having a great sense of humor about it.

“I remember one time, we were at LSU last year,” Kilcrease said. “Some random guy in the stands stood up and yelled, ‘Now pitching, jockey No. 28…’ I thought that one was pretty funny.”

There are even stories of the players of visiting teams ridiculing Kilcrease’s height, then being blown away by his pitching.

Look for Kilcrease to pitch up to his competition against Mississippi State in Starkville this weekend, with a batting order that averages right at 6 feet tall.