GUSTAVESON: SMALL SCHOOL, BIG IMPACT.

Byline: VINCENT BONSIGNORE

For someone who didn't know what an 0-2 count was three years ago, let alone a rise ball or drop ball, L.A. Baptist High softball pitcher Katie Gustaveson is proof success has a timetable all its own.

When Gustaveson steps into the pitcher's circle today against Granada Hills in the semifinals of the Daily News Victory Spring Classic, she'll do so as one of the region's fastest-rising standouts. In 32 innings of near-flawless pitching this year, Gustaveson has given up no earned runs, eight hits and one walk while striking out 51.

In doing so, she's carried the small-school Knights of North Hills to surprising victories over region powers Calabasas and El Camino Real of Woodland Hills, among others.

``I think we're all really excited that we've been able to compete with some of these bigger schools,'' Gustaveson said. ``I don't think anybody gave us much of a chance. Maybe they just didn't know much about us. But it feels good to show them we can play softball at L.A. Baptist.''

And put Gustaveson's talents on display.

Her numbers so far would be impressive for anyone, but when you consider she stumbled upon softball as an eighth-grader, a time when most pitchers are in their sixth or seventh year, they're even more remarkable.

``It's been a very fast development,'' L.A. Baptist coach Dean Kabanuck said. ``Based on what she did last year, I was pretty sure she'd have a great season, but to beat teams like Calabasas and El Camino Real, it just shows what she's capable (of). It seems like every time she steps into the circle she's more confident and more effective.''

That's a dramatic change from when Gustaveson first started playing - or watching, anyway. As an eighth-grader, Gustaveson went out for her middle-school team just to pass time. And that's exactly what she did - pass time.

``I would literally sit in the dugout and have no clue what was going on out on the field.'' Gustaveson said.

Ironically, all that watching proved beneficial. She immediately was curious about pitching, fascinated by the control that pitchers had on the game and the impact they had on the outcome.

``One of my best friends was our pitcher, and basically I'd just study everything she did.'' Gustaveson said.

Without really knowing it, Gustaveson was getting daily tutoring on the nuances of pitching.

``One day I was messing around throwing the ball against a wall and my coach walks up and says: ``Have you ever thought about pitching?''

That was the beginning of a rapid climb for Gustaveson. A year later, she was pitching for a club travel team, than at L.A. Baptist. As her pitching skills developed, so too did her arm strength and mechanics.

``She's at the point now where anytime I lay a finger down to call a pitch, I am confident it will end up on a corner or the weak part of a hitter's bat,'' Kabanuck said. ``She throws very, very hard and has excellent movement. But it's her control that sets her apart.''

Gustaveson's development caught the eye of a number of Division I college coaches, many of whom offered her full-ride scholarships. Hawaii and San Diego State were the most persistent, but she orally committed to play at Biola University, a small Division I NAIA Christian school in La Mirada.

It was a decision that took many observers by surprise. Even Gustaveson.

``I was really interested in those other schools, but after I visited Biola, it didn't take long for me to realize that was the place for me,'' Gustaveson said. ``What I basically decided was that, even though softball is a huge part of my life, I had to look past that and see the bigger picture. So even though softball was so prominent, I still had to think about academics and my future beyond softball and college. Once I did that, it was easy for me to settle on Biola.''