Peak Perfomer: Rampart baseball's Robert Forrest

Rampart's Robert Forrest has proven he can be as dangerous with a bat as he can with his arm. On Tuesday, the junior struck out seven while allowing three hits in an 18-4, 5-inning romp over Air Academy. Three days later, facing the Kadets again, he belted a 3-run homer in the seventh to lift Rampart to a 14-11 victory. A three-year varsity player, he's 4-0 with a 1.46 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 24 innings while hitting .467. He's helped the Rams to a 9-0 mark, including 6-0 in the 5A Metro League.

How did it feel to hit the game-winning home run?
It felt good because I was 1-for-3 before that. But I had a good feeling going up to the plate.

Is that your first game-winner or have you done that before?
I did when I was 13, but not in high school.

Coach Adam Strah says you are a strong pitcher and already have a college-level arm in the outfield. Which do you prefer - pitching or playing outfield?
That's a close one. I personally like pitching more, but the nice thing about playing the outfield is you also get to bat.

How many pitches do you have in your arsenal?
Four - fastball, change-up, curveball and slider.

Which do you think is your best pitch?
My fastball. I usually throw hard enough that I can just get it by them.

How hard can you throw your fastball?
I've never clocked it. I throw 95 from the outfield, so probably mid- to upper-80s.

Do you have a favorite player?
My pitching coach (Byron Embry). He played Triple-A and stuff. He's kind of like my idol.

Your coach says you've taken on more of a leadership role this season - why is that?
I'm a starting pitcher and I guess that's part of it. Everybody on our team is a leader. Everybody looks up to one another in some sort of way.

What will be Rampart's key to success this season?
Taking it one game at a time and not looking past the game we're in. We're not looking past Game 11 when we're in Game 10. And we're always picking each other up.

Rampart has a talented roster of players - how far can your team go this season?
I think we have a good chance, but like I said before we can't get ahead of ourselves. We also bond more than any team I've ever played on and I think that's a key factor.

If you could say one thing to your teammates, what would it be?
I'll always be here for you or I've always got your back.

How are you doing academically?
Good. With my mom, you have to do good.

What is your grade point average?
3.4.

You're in your junior year, so have you given any thought to going to college?
I've got a lot of letters, but I haven't got a college picked out.

Do you have any schools in mind?
Wichita State, UNLV. They are the only two schools that come to mind.

Do you plan to play baseball?
That's kind of what I'm hoping for to pay for my college.

Do you play any other sports?
Just baseball.

Do you have any brothers and sisters who play or played sports?
I have a little sister who plays competitive softball. She's a freshman here at Rampart.

Is she as good as you?
She's got a cannon. She throws hard.

How supportive is your family?
One hundred percent. More than I can put into words. They've always been there for me. That's probably why I've gotten this far is because of them.