After a breakout season as a sophomore, West Aurora shortstop Ryan Niedzwiedz was understandably pumped up heading into this spring.
Unfortunately, his back had other ideas.
Niedzwiedz, who is ranked No. 29 for the junior class and No. 3 at shortstop according to Prep Baseball Report, got off to a late start.
“It was my lower back — just a little reaction, a strain,” Niedzwiedz said. “It wasn’t that bad. Just sit out for like a month, miss eight games, and I had to get back at it.
“The doctor said he was glad when they caught it because it could have been way worse. I’m very lucky. It’s fine right now.”
Niedzwiedz is back and healthy for the Blackhawks, but he’s still getting into the swing of things. He confirmed he has been mired in a bit of a slump.
“So far, the back is feeling nice ever since I came back,” Niedzwiedz said. “It’s just getting to know the pitchers. I have to get back to my approach.
“Right now, I’m struggling a little bit. Once I figure it out, I think I’ll be OK.”
West Aurora coach John Reeves thinks the team’s struggle to score runs lately could be part of that.
“I think he’s trying to do too much,” Reeves said. “We don’t score a lot, so he’s trying to get them all for us. We’re excited about him. He’s a top player.”
Niedzwiedz is hoping as the weather warms up, he’ll heat up at the plate.
“I have to get out of my head, have a better approach,” Niedzwiedz said. “Just swing and hit the ball. That’s all I have to do.”
Minor hiccups aside, Niedzwiedz is a prized recruit. Only one other junior ranked higher than him by Prep Baseball Report hasn’t committed to college.
“Recruiting is going really well for me right now,” Niedzwiedz said. “I’m getting a couple of looks. A lot of nice coaches have been contacting me. I’m really lucky to have that.”
Niedzwiedz, who added the process has been picking up, pointed out he’s leaning toward going the junior college route.
“I want to have the experience of playing my first two years for sure,” Niedzwiedz said. “And then after that, I want to go Division I or possibly get drafted if I do well. I have to step it up.”
Milestone and moves: It has been a busy week for Aurora Central Catholic coach Sean Bieterman, who also is the school’s athletic director.
Bieterman recently announced he’s stepping down as athletic director but will stay on as baseball coach. He won the 400th game of his career Monday.
After spending time at Driscoll and Lincoln-Way Central, 183 of his wins have come at ACC.
“It just means you’ve been around some really good people for a number of years,” Bieterman said. “I’ve been fortunate to do it at three different schools. I’ve had great kids, great coaches.”
While he still will be coaching, he’s moving on from the administration at ACC when his contract expires at the end of June.
Bieterman recently purchased T’s Academy in Lombard. The baseball, softball and athletic training facility is less than a mile from his home.
“I’m excited,” Bieterman said. “My full-time responsibilities are with this venture and my family. For the first time, I’ll be close to home on a daily basis. I’m not home five or six nights a week now.”
Bieterman, who is proud of what he has built at ACC, is looking forward to staying on as head coach.
“I feel like we’ve developed a very good reputation in the area,” Bieterman said. “I think we’ve done a good job.”
Man of the hour: Nate Harris, who emerged as one of the state’s top sophomores over the summer, has fit right into Yorkville’s lineup this season.
Needing to replace the firepower of Kyle Mack and Cole Yearsley, the Foxes found a gem in Harris. Through his first 16 games, he led the team with a 1.162 OPS, which is on-base percentage plus slugging percentage.
He hit .347 with four homers in that stretch.
“Nate is unreal,” Yorkville coach Tom Cerven said. “What sets him apart with high school guys his size is he’s very athletic. He has an explosive bat just like (Owen) Ross does. He’ll be a staple for our program the next three years.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
