After Miller threw four scoreless innings against Cedar Valley in the District C championship game, TJC head coach Doug Wren offered the highest praise.

"He's the MVP of the tournament by far," said Wren, whose team rallied for a 4-3 win in 11 innings to advance to the NJCAA Division III World Series. "We've had some offensive MVPs, but what Derek has done for us is such a key position. He has given us the ability to get to (Jason) Jester, our closer, and given us so many innings putting up zeroes and giving our offense a chance to come back."

Miller entered the game with the Apaches in a vulnerable spot. They had allowed two runs in the sixth inning and trailed Cedar Valley 3-2. While the TJC offense sputtered, Miller kept it a one-run game as he allowed only two hits, no walks and struck out three.

He had another standout relief appearance in the first game of the district tournament. TJC ace Derek Bowen was pulled in the fifth inning and Miller took the ball and kept it for the next 3 1-3. He was charged with one run on a wind-aided homer, but he struck out four and had no walks.

Miller, a Robert E. Lee graduate, leads the Apaches with 19 relief appearances. The 5-9, 176-pound right-hander is 4-1 with a 2.97 ERA in 39 1-3 innings. Opponents are hitting .200 off Miller, and lefties are a meager 3 for 32 (.094).

"He doesn't have the best stuff on the staff, but he throws strikes, he's down in the zone and he competes," Wren said. "That's what makes him effective."

Miller, the MVP of the Tyler Morning Telegraph's All-East Texas Team last year, was recruited by TJC as both a pitcher and position player.

However, it wasn't until Miller was able to focus on pitching that he began to blossom for the Apaches, said pitching coach Hart Hering.

"When I first came here, I was leaning more toward being an infielder," Miller said. "They gave me some looks at third and let me swing a little bit."

Ultimately, Miller felt like he'd be better at pitching, and the coaches agreed.

"It made it a lot easier, because being a two-way guy you've got to focus on both of them, you've got to spend time on both of them," Miller said.

Despite having a standout senior year for Lee, and being voted the District 11-5A Co-MVP, Miller wasn't exactly bubbling with confidence as he tried to impress the TJC coaches in the fall. In fact, he's been surprised by his success.

"When we first started, I guess I didn't have a lot of confidence," said Miller, who has allowed only four inherited runners to score. "I actually thought I was going to get redshirted. I didn't think I made that big of an impression."

Miller and fellow Lee graduate Jacob Yanker signed with TJC together after first visiting Eastfield. Once TJC showed interest, Miller said the decision was easy.

"We toured the school and we knew TJC had been good in the past, so we just ended up coming here and it was a good decision," Miller said. "We both got to live at home and didn't have to pay all the expenses. We knew TJC was going to be good and we were excited because Coach Wren was going to be coaching."

Miller said it doesn't get any better than playing in the national tournament on your home field. He remembers the big crowd for last year's Lee-Lufkin playoff game at Mike Carter Field, and he expects even more fans for TJC's first game Saturday.

"I'm really excited to pitch in front of a big home crowd, especially living here all my life and graduating from Lee," Miller said.

Article by:

Joe Buie

Tyler Morning Telegraph