Mike Ettl began this season as a member of the Northampton baseball team with a simple philosophy.

“I just want to throw strikes,” said the junior hurler. “I’m not always worrying about striking people out. I’m just always thinking strikes.”

His motto has had residual effect for him and his team. Ettl threw six impressive, four-hit shutout innings in a 5-0 win over Allen April 13. It was his third win of the season in as many outings at the time, as he has worked with a fastball, curveball and slider in his arsenal, his fastball being clocked at nearly 80.

Ettl simply has been impressive this season.

“It was my longest outing and my best one so far,” said Ettl about facing Allen, who earlier topped the five-inning mark in his previous start. “I threw that deep during the summer (playing for Moore Township) and also last year (on JVs).

“I don’t have any problems with my arm and it feels great. Coach Sugra always tells me to come out and throw strikes and let the defense work for me. I have been cutting back on my walks.”

Sugra also has been pleased.

“He had a very good outing against Allen,” Sugra said. “He (Ettl) is a good kid with a lot of potential. We have been emphasizing how important the weight room is and proper diet, and he has been buying into the program.”

Ettl has been a pitcher since he began playing baseball in the Biddy program. He credited the support and guidance of his parents, Michael and Denise, who have been his biggest supporters.

It was during last season that Ettl believed he and his teammates could get off to a fast start this season.

“We all have been playing together since we were little kids,” he said. “We knew last year that this could be special. I have been throwing for a long time and I have never had any major concerns.

“I know if I go out and do my job, my teammates will do theirs. I have great teammates and we support each other.”

Like his teammates, Ettl hasn’t been startled by his team’s start or finish to the regular season. Instead, he is looking forward to the second half of the district playoffs.

The Kids were 11-5 in the league and 15-5 overall.

“We just go out and play and don’t take anything for granted,” he said. “We know we are in a tough division and there are no easy games. This started for us two years ago and it carried through last year and into the fall and winter.

“Now, we just have to go and keep it going.”

After a loss to Parkland, the Kids expect to open districts on May 24.