Geneva’s Noah Hallahan missed some valuable development time healing from a torn meniscus.
As an uncommitted junior pitcher, he knows that this is an important season for his future. That, however, was the last thing on his mind Tuesday when he took the mound at Bartlett.
“I just try to stay focused on the present,” Hallahan said. “I can’t get caught up on what happens later down the road. If you get caught up thinking about what could happen six months from now in your outing today, it won’t be as great.
“Having a bad outing today can cost you six months later, so you just have to be focused on the present.”
If the early indications from this spring are providing a glimpse into that future, he likely won’t have much to worry about in that regard.
Hallahan threw four dominant innings, striking out nine and gave up only one hit and three walks in the Vikings’ 4-0 nonconference win. It came on the heels of three solid innings against Yorkville.
Aidan Hall went 3-for-3 for visiting Geneva (2-1), with Josh Frieders driving in three runs while batting ninth. Tate Beran went 2-for-4 and Nelson Wendell added a pair of stolen bases.
Vince Yario went 2-for-3 for Bartlett (1-2).
Hallahan, meanwhile, allowed a baserunner in each inning but nobody got past second base.
“Good bats, good challenge, that obviously works me,” Hallahan said. “The whole winter I kind of worked for that. I was just seeing what my strengths do against their weaknesses and pitched to that and kind of stayed within my game and didn’t try to get too fancy with it.”
When Hallahan gets going, with a fastball around 90 mph and a hard slider he can throw for strikes, Geneva coach Brad Wendell understands how dominant his right-hander can be.
“He’s good and we’re excited to have him,” Wendell said of Hallahan. “I just appreciate how he approaches the game. He just gets after it. He’s doing a really nice job.”
Wendell pointed out that improving his slider was a major point of emphasis for Hallahan.
It started to develop as last season went along. Being down from the middle of the summer until December paused those plans, but he’s picked up right where he left off.
“He’s improved on that,” Wendell said. “Last year he did too, as you saw him progress late last year. He started getting the off-speed over for strikes and he was more efficient than he had been.”
Hallahan loves to use the pitch to keep hitters guessing. As a two-way player himself, he knows how valuable it is to have that skill.
“I definitely use that to get them out in front and change up the timing,” Hallahan said. “I’ve been there. It’s hard to hit if you’re off-balance and don’t know what’s coming.”
Bartlett coach Alex Coan came away impressed. The Hawks rely on the top of their lineup and promising pieces near the bottom, but it was hard for them to get much going against Hallahan.
“He’s got a fantastic arm,” Coan said. “He mixes and matches well. He certainly attacks the zone well. We just have to do a better job of being more aggressive and stop being so complacent.”
In that way, Wendell realizes that he’s set at the top of the rotation with Hallahan and fellow junior Mason Bruesch, a Michigan State recruit.
He also believes if Hallahan maintains focus, his college commitment day will come, too.
“If he just keeps doing what he’s doing, somebody’s going to love him,” Wendell said.
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
