An “off day” for Jacey Schuler is something Antioch’s opponents would like to get more often.
As the sophomore pitcher sees it, Grayslake North got one Tuesday.
“I definitely was having a little bit of an off day, but I still tried to focus on my spots and my spin, which is important when facing good teams,” Schuler said.
Having pitched since she was 10, however, Schuler has been there before. She knows how to pick her spots, and she usually picks the right one.
That’s what she did against the Knights, striking out 10 and giving up just five hits in Antioch’s 2-1 Northern Lake County Conference victory at home.
Schuler improved to 10-1 with a 0.76 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 71 innings for the Sequoits (13-1, 5-0), who are ranked No. 1 in Class 3A in the Illinois Softball Coaches Association’s poll. She won a pitcher’s duel against Illinois Wesleyan recruit Gianna Certa, who allowed one earned run on four hits for Grayslake North (5-3, 3-2).
“She’s the big engine that drives us,” Antioch coach Anthony Rocco said of Schuler. “We rally around her. The kids play tough behind her defensively and put up runs. She’s an elite player that’s going to play at the next level.”
Although Schuler was an all-state selection after her standout freshman season, she’s not one to rest on her laurels.
“I definitely think my movement has improved since last season,” she said. “I’ve also tried working on my change-up a lot. I’ve been trying to change speeds and also spots. I don’t want to throw it down the middle. I want to try to make them chase it around the zone.”
Schuler not only works fast and throws strikes, but also can wiggle out of tough situations with aplomb, usually by way of the strikeout.
In the fourth inning Tuesday, she gave up a leadoff double to Belmont recruit Nicole Hughes, who promptly advanced to third on a wild pitch. That put the tying run on third base with no outs.
So what did Schuler do?
She struck out the next three hitters.
“I think in those times I try to breathe before, and then my biggest thing is spots,” she said. “When I’m pitching to the next three girls, I want to make sure that I’m throwing around the zone. I want to be focused as well.”
Her catcher, sophomore Grace Green, has learned to rely on Schuler’s ability to bear down.
“When we get into those situations as a team, she really digs deep down to pull us all out,” Green said. “She’s a great teammate.”
Schuler can hit too. She has a .468 batting average with two doubles, a triple and a home run.
She drove in both of Antioch’s runs against Grayslake North. Her single in the sixth inning sent Wisconsin recruit Eden Echevarria home for the go-ahead run.
“I’m having so much fun, and I’m so excited for this season,” Schuler said.
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
