The challenges inherent in relief pitching aren’t for everyone, but Libertyville senior right-hander Zach Seiler knows he can overcome obstacles.
Seiler missed much of the previous two seasons with back fractures.
“The first time was mostly from overuse, just going after it too hard,” he said. “The second time was especially tough because I felt like things were slipping away for me.
“But persevering through these injuries put me in the right head space. There are things you can control and some that you can’t control.”
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That perspective has made Seiler a highly effective reliever. He is 2-0 with two saves and hasn’t allowed an earned run in 13 1/3 innings in his first full varsity season for North Suburban Conference leader Libertyville (22-2, 8-1), which is one of the best teams in the state.
“I love competing, and I love everything associated with being a reliever,” Seiler said. “There is a little bit of stress involved. But everyone is rooting you on, and with the type of team we have, I know that as long as I don’t walk guys, I can attack the zone and the guys behind me will do the job.”
Seiler offered a glimpse of his potential during a game against Glenbrook North late last season. Facing a lineup that featured Wake Forest commit Ethan Bass, Seiler threw three scoreless innings.
“That was one of the more memorable appearances I’ve had, and it gave me great confidence going into this year,” he said.
Given his history of back injuries, Seiler went into the offseason with a goal of getting in tip-top shape, which he achieved with weight work, stretching and common sense.
But Seiler also reexamined his mechanics, and he identified a couple of subtle adjustments that could help him.
“I wasn’t sinking into my back leg as much as I could, and now the ball is coming out of my hand much cleaner,” he said. “My slider and curve used to be pretty similar. Now my curve is more 12 to 6, and my slider is more horizontal, almost more like a sweeper.
“I took it really seriously because I was hoping I’d have a chance to prove myself.”
Seiler got that chance, and he has taken advantage of it.
“We tried him out in some different roles, and he’s done well in all of them,” Libertyville coach Matt Thompson said. “But we’ve started putting him in some tough situations in relief.
“He worked so hard to get to this point. He’s always been such a great kid and teammate, so it’s nice to see him having success.”
Seiler got his feet wet this season in the first game of a tournament that the Wildcats won on a trip to Arizona during spring break. Then he closed out the championship game with three innings of solid work against a highly touted Arizona team.
Seiler looks back fondly on one moment during that trip that has more to do with baseball fundamentals than pitching.
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“There was a single hit into the outfield, and a runner was going for third,” he said. “Our shortstop sailed the throw to third, and I was there to back it up. That was big because I didn’t let that run score. A play like that kind of sums up my baseball journey — an accumulation of a lot of little things.”
Seiler’s strong season has continued back in Illinois. He earned his second save when he was summoned to get the final three outs of Libertyville’s 1-0 win over Highland Park on Saturday.
“Watching how dialed in he is in his process is impressive,” Libertyville senior utility player Harrison Clarkson said. “Before the season started, we saw him throw and knew he’d be a great bullpen piece.
“The biggest thing with Zach, though, is that his glass is always half-full. He never gets too high or too low, and he does a great job of lifting everyone up.”
Seiler has lifted himself up too.
“I feel like I bring the right intensity to the mound and that I was built for this,” he said. “It’s a vote of confidence that my team trusts me to get important outs, and I’m really happy with the role I’ve been able to fill on this team.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.