Mount Carmel pitcher Jake Matise received a piece of information Friday morning that provided him with some extra focus and motivation to take into his start later in the afternoon.
Matise, a senior right-hander who has committed to Lewis, found out that Caravan coach Brian Hurry was one win shy of 700 for his career.
“I knew I wanted to get it done for him,” Matise said. “I didn’t want it to happen (Saturday) or happen next week. I wanted to be the one to get him that win.
“It’s cool just to be a small part of it. In my four years, how many games have I started? Not that many compared to 700. But being a part of his long history and getting 700 for him, it’s special.”
Matise made certain Hurry would reach the milestone. He struck out 10 and tossed a three-hitter, leading the host Caravan to an 8-0 win over IC Catholic in a Catholic League crossover in Chicago.
Illinois recruit Joey Ireland went 2-for-3 with an RBI for Mount Carmel (11-5). Pancho Vazquez delivered a two-run single, while Triton commit Christian Clark finished 2-for-4 in contributing to the big win for Hurry, who has coached the Caravan since 2000.
“I’m thankful to Mount Carmel for the opportunity to lead this program,” Hurry said. “It’s a privilege to be the head coach here. It’s a special place. I’ve had a lot of help.
“I think about all the guys, going back 20 years. And this is a special group with guys who have been a big part of the program for the last few years, so it’s extra meaningful to do it with this group.”
Evan Madrigal came up with two hits for IC Catholic (10-4-1), but Matise was otherwise dominant against the Knights.
Matise didn’t issue a walk and got through the complete game facing just 23 batters and throwing only 68 pitches.
“It’s perfect being the catcher for Jake,” Clark said. “He makes it easy for me. He throws the ball over the plate and gets outs. Having Jake out there gives us a big confidence boost and we know we can get the bats going.”
Matise, who improved to 4-0 with a 0.55 ERA, confirmed he’s pitching with a new feeling of freedom since he committed in September to Lewis.
“You don’t even know big of a relief it is,” Matise said. “Last year, I was like, ‘I’ve got to light up the radar gun. I’ve got to impress coaches.’ This year, I’ve just got to pitch.
“I know where I’m going next year now, and I can just focus on each day and doing what I’ve got to do for my team.”
Matise flew under the radar a bit at the start of last season but ended up being named the Catholic League Blue’s pitcher of the year after he going 8-1 with a 2.20 ERA.
Now, he has to deal with the weight of lofty expectations.
“I think he’s handled that really well,” Hurry said. “Jake Matise really competes. I think he epitomizes what you’re going to get from this program as far as always going out and competing.”
Matise is certainly not resting on his laurels after a big junior season, either. In a league full of major college recruits, he is motivated to prove the guy going to Lewis is still the best pitcher.
“Some Division I coaches congratulated me when I won that award,” Matise said. “They were texting me about it. But none of them wanted to offer me.
“So, I definitely have a little chip on my shoulder. But I’m excited to go show all of them, when I’m at Lewis next year, what I could have been doing for them.”
