Huntley senior Kyle Morgan knew that if everything worked out as planned, he would be on the mound in the Class 4A state semifinals.
Morgan pitched the Red Raiders to wins in the regional and sectional openers. Fellow senior Nick Laxner took the ball in the regional and sectional title games.
The combination of Eli Paplanus, Hunter Rumachik and Grant Yakimisky got Huntley through a supersectional win over Loyola, with Laxner and Morgan unavailable due to pitch-count rules. Then Morgan’s dream came true.
“I knew I would be lined up for the first game at state,” Morgan said. “I was ready for it.”
Morgan, The Courier-News Player of the Year, pitched a complete game in the Red Raiders’ 5-1 win over Lake Park, the biggest victory in program history. It put Huntley in the state title game for the first time and set a program record for wins with 33.
“It was unbelievable with both fan bases screaming,” Morgan said. “It was a great atmosphere to be a part of and play in. My childhood dream was to pitch in a state game, and I fulfilled that. That was the most memorable experience I have ever had.”
Huntley coach Andy Jakubowski had faith in the 6-foot-4 left-hander as a sophomore, calling him up to varsity. Jakubowski then leaned on Morgan to be the team’s workhorse as a senior. Morgan went 10-2 with a 1.14 ERA, striking out 82 and walking only 14 in 71 innings. He was named Class 4A all-state by the state’s coaches.
That was why Jakubowski had no qualms about sending Morgan out for the biggest game of his life.
“He was tremendous that day,” Jakubowski said. “He gave us an opportunity to play in the state title game. He was calm, cool and collected with a little fire, too. He kept them off balance, which he did for us all year.”
Jakubowski saw promise in Morgan as a sophomore and let him learn at the varsity level.
“I was definitely not expecting to get called up as a sophomore,” Morgan said of his coach. “He took me under his wing. He’s definitely been a mentor and a role model to me.”
The things that helped Morgan succeed in high school — greater command of his fastball being chief among them — has Jakubowski thinking big. Morgan heads to McHenry Community College in the fall, and has visions of a potential professional career down the road.
“He grew into a dominant pitcher,” Jakubowski said. “He continued to improve. As long as he continues that trajectory, he’s got all the intangibles. He’s left-handed with size, throws three pitches for strikes. That’s exactly what they’re looking for at the next level.”
Morgan said his fastball sits in the high 80s now. But he hopes extra work in the weight room and more time spent on his craft in college could vault him into the 90s.
“I honestly didn’t hear from any pro guys until this year, so I never thought that I could make it,” Morgan said. “Now that I know I have a chance, the pressure is off and I just do what I have to do and not worry so much. Being told that I have a chance to pitch at the next level is a dream come true.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
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