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Senior pitcher Nathan Chapman, who has been the team’s ace all season, carries a certain presence to the mound for Jacobs. It’s not just physical but a mindset too.
And the 6-foot-3 right-hander has not been happy the past few games.
“I’ve been pitching without a lot of run support, so it’s a huge relief to actually get some runs on the board early,” Chapman said. “We just have to be locked in, ready.
“Some games we’re lackadaisical, especially on days when I’m pitching. We go into easy mode. We just need to come out and stomp on their throats. We did that today.”
Indeed, Chapman threw a five-inning shutout Friday afternoon as the Golden Eagles downed Dundee-Crown 10-0 in their Fox Valley Conference finale.
The Eastern Illinois recruit continued his dominance, striking out 12 and allowing only three hits and two walks as he tunes up for the postseason.
Chapman (3-0), who has one more start remaining before the playoffs, credited the early lead for allowing him to settle in Friday for the Golden Eagles (17-9, 11-7).
Jacobs coach Jamie Murray marvels at Chapman’s maturity.
“He’s a legit pitcher,” Murray said. “He’s been great. He’s extremely smart, high baseball IQ. He studies the game. He understands his mechanics. When things aren’t going right, he knows how to fix it. I think that’s a sign of a really well-developed player.
“He’s worked extremely hard in the offseason. He understands what has to get done.”
Chapman (3-0) has been locked in this season, using a fastball that sits in the upper 80s and jumps on hitters. He combines that with improved command of a biting slider.
That has pushed him into the conversation of being one of the best starting pitchers in the area.
“A big thing for me was working on the slider and developing it,” Chapman said.
Murray already was planning to transition Chapman toward the end of the week with an eye on the playoffs. Rainouts and other circumstances helped it happen organically.
Chapman faced FVC champion Huntley in a 5-1 win on Saturday, April 23. He’s lined up to face St. Charles North on Thursday or Geneva on Friday.
“We go once a week with him,” Murray said. “We don’t abuse him.”
Jacobs did jump on Dundee-Crown (5-20, 3-13), however.
The first three batters reached in the bottom of the first and Christian Graves followed with his second grand slam this month. He has four homers this season.
Murray said that was important with Isaac Santos pitching for the Chargers.
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“He’s been lights out for them,” Murray said. “That was huge for us. Early in the game, you have to get to the guy in the first inning. Sometimes, they come out of the pen and the command may not be there.
“I was really happy we were in a situation where we got a lead — gave ‘Chappy’ some room to breathe and he didn’t have to nibble.”
Anthony Edge drove in a pair of runs in the fourth to push the lead to 6-0. He then ended the game with an RBI single to invoke the mercy rule.
Murray stacked the schedule heading into the playoffs to prep the Golden Eagles. Nonconference games remain against Nazareth, Palatine, St. Charles North, Geneva and Barrington.
“I want to challenge them,” Murray said. “We’ll be ready for anybody in the playoffs.”
Looking ahead, Chapman agreed. With him and Graves atop the rotation, the Golden Eagles will open up May 25 against Round Lake in the Class 4A Grant Regional.
“If we do our thing,” Chapman said, “no matter who is pitching, whether it’s Graves or me, we’re going to be able to do very well.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.