TUPELO - Cody Shrewsbury's first varsity pitch in the postseason was not something to be proud of.

Against Clinton in last Friday's Game 1 of a MHSAA Class 5A quarterfinals series, the sophomore left-hander was called upon to pitch with two outs in the fifth inning of a tie ballgame on the road.

To the delight of the opposing crowd, Shrewsbury bounced his first pitch well in front of home plate.

"My ankle kind of got twisted up on the mound," Shrewsbury said. "There was a big hole when (starter) Lex (Rutledge) left."

Shrewsbury said the Clinton crowd gave him "a little heck" for his wild pitch. He then acknowledged the Clinton fans by gesturing to his ears.

"It was all right; it didn't bother me," said the 6-foot-1, 165-pound sophomore. "I just kind of gave them an 'all right' to let them know I heard them."

Shrewsbury responded by striking out four Clinton hitters without allowing a hit as the Golden Wave went on to win 3-2. His efforts earned him his third win of the season against zero losses.

"He feels like he can throw it by you no matter what," said Tupelo senior pitcher Chris Stratton. "He's really confident in everything he has.

"He goes out there and he wants to win. He's a bulldog."

Team clown

Shrewsbury has another role on the Tupelo team in addition to being a spot starter and relief pitcher.

"I am just kind of a laid-back guy," Shrewsbury said. "I like to keep the team pumped; try to be funny, try to be the team clown, I guess.

"Keep the guys laid back in hard situations."

While Shrewsbury's personality is certainly laid back, his haircuts suggest the opposite. The sophomore has a "T" shaved into his head and even attempted a mohawk this week, which turned out "awful" according to Shrewsbury.

"There's no other way to describe Shrews except for calling him 'Shrews,'" Stratton said. "That's just who he is. He's just goofy. There is no other way to say it."

When it matters the most

The Tupelo team may like to goof around with Shrewsbury, but they also know the sophomore is highly reliable on the mound.

"He's been doing a great job of coming in and closing," said Wave senior pitcher Lex Rutledge. "We all have faith in him to get on the mound and get the job done."

Rutledge will start Game 1 tonight of a best-of-3 semifinals series against Madison Central, while Stratton is expected to pitch Game 2 in Tupelo on Friday.

Where Shrewsbury fits in this series against an exceptionally good-hitting team remains to be seen.

"I guess I'll just be ready when my opportunity comes," Shrewsbury said.