After receiving a cup of coffee on the varsity last spring for South Elgin, junior right-hander Jonathan Niksich suffered through a rough start to this season that began with more opportunities.
It took him a bit before he came to a big conclusion.
“The beginning was a struggle and I decided to stop thinking,” Niksich said. “Just play the game.”
That mindset helped Niksich become a valuable pitcher for the Storm. He was definitely needed Wednesday against rival Bartlett with the Upstate Eight Conference title hanging in the balance.
In a epic game, play was halted after 14 innings with a 0-0 score due to darkness. Niksich entered in relief of ace Zacharia Barkho, who dominated for eight innings before reaching his pitch count.
In stepped Niksich, who also was dominant in six innings of relief for South Elgin (23-9, 15-3). He struck out 11 while giving up two hits and two walks. Barkho struck out 13 while allowing two hits and a walk. Alex Muro came through with two hits.
Bartlett (22-10, 15-3), however, matched that pitching effort as Brandon Pelz, Aiden Mertes and Joe Kennedy combined for 14 shutout innings. They struck out 12, scattering five hits and three walks. Josh Colaizzi and Mason Leiterman each singled and doubled.
Only one runner, Barkho, reached third base for either team. And Niksich noticed how Barkho was fired up for his final high school game against Bartlett.
“I just knew I was going to have his back,” Niksich said. “Based on how he performed, I knew I was going to do the same. He passed the energy back down to me.
“I had the confidence and the energy. That was the main reason. It’s probably the best game I’ve played.”
South Elgin coach David Palmer didn’t hesitate to ride Niksich as long as he could.
“Johnny was unbelievable,” Palmer said. “He wants that ball and he wants that moment. You can see him progressively keep that adrenaline going. To see him working at that pace is fun to watch.”
The energy between the two starters — Barkho and Pelz — also was palpable.
“I love playing Bartlett,” Barkho said. “It was awesome. Every time I looked at him, even when I was in the box, I was smiling. Not a happy smile, but an ‘I’m going to get you’ smile.
“The momentum flipped every inning. I think that’s why there were no runs. Every team was starting off fresh.”
For six innings, Pelz matched Barkho in a tense battle.
“He is our guy,” Bartlett coach Alex Coan said. “We trust him in big moments like that. We trust that when he goes out there and takes the ball, we expect to win. Two of the best pitchers in our conference. I expected it to be a dogfight, and it sure lived up to that hype.
“It was one of the craziest games I’ve ever played in or coached.”
Palmer enjoyed the show as well from the other dugout.
“You can’t beat it,” Palmer said. “We said in about the fourth inning, let’s just get Zach one,” Palmer said. “That’s all we’re going to need with the weather and the way they’re pitching.
“Their energy, our energy, back-and-forth. It was like, ‘All right, we have to match them.’ We’ll keep doing it again until we get a winner.”
Niksich wasn’t nervous when his number was called, though.
“I practiced for this,” Niksich said. “I knew I was ready for this moment. I just kept my energy.”
After seeing Niksich’s climb throughout the season, Palmer was happy to watch it all come together in such a memorable game.
“He wants to work quick,” Palmer said. “He dominates. He trusts himself. He trusts his defense. My better is better than your better, so I’m going to go after you 100%.
“It’s fun to watch, especially as a junior.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
