Late March and April is often when area baseball teams experiment with pitching rotations.
That is the case with Vernon Hills, which had no proven starting pitchers returning in 2015.
“You’re not sure what’s going to happen with young pitchers,” coach Jason Czarnecki said.
The only way to find out is to have them throw. So far, the Cougars are developing a potentially strong staff.
Over spring break, Vernon Hills traveled downstate to play four games. The Cougars finished 2-2 against Harrisburg, DuQuoin, Carterville and Anna-Jonesboro. Two of the games were played at Rent One Park in Marion, the home of the Frontier League’s Southern Illinois Miners. With a turf field and temperatures in the 70s, the Cougars got to practice and play in almost ideal conditions.
“[Rent One Park] is a great venue for baseball. We played good competition,” Czarnecki said.
The Cougars allowed just 12 runs in four games. Three pitchers — juniors Eric Weiler, Brendan Keogh and Ben Geren — started the four games.
Geren, a 5-foot-9 righty, started a 4-1 win over Harrisburg on March 30 and a 3-2 loss to Anna-Jonesboro on April 2. In his two starts, Geren impressed with eight innings pitched and one earned run. Not a hard thrower, Geren pitches to contact and relies on his defense to make plays.
“We think he’s a kid that with experience and maturity who can anchor our staff,” Czarnecki said, adding that Geren’s calm approach on the mound is a distinguishing feature. “He doesn’t get caught up in things that go on during a game.”
Weiler earned his second win of the season with a 7-0 decision over Richmond-Burton on April 1. A 6-7 righty, Weiler is tall enough to be an intimidating presence on the mound. Against Richmond-Burton, he threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing four hits. Senior Nick Conrad finished the game, retiring all seven batters he faced.
Vernon Hills’ other win over spring break came from Keogh. A 6-foot righty, Keogh threw 4 2/3 innings in a 7-5, eight-inning win over DuQuoin on March 31. Keogh relieved starter Sam Perlin, allowing three hits and no runs.
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Czarnecki was particularly impressed with the poise of Keogh and Weiler.
“Both of those guys have had the opportunity to start and step into pressure situations and were calm and threw strikes. They were in jams at different outings and continued to pitch,” Czarnecki said.
The Cougars begin their North Suburban Prairie schedule in April. They will continue to look for reliable innings from a stable of pitchers, including senior Jack Duffley and sophomore Andrew Smith.
“We won’t have the luxury of anchor guys. It will be a committee approach to make it through our season,” Czarnecki said. “The positive is some of these young guys are getting opportunities and may be they will develop at a faster rate. You never know, it’s kind of early for juniors. But we will be patient.”
Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @prepspioneer