Yorkville’s Owen Ross knew he was going to have to change his approach.
The senior shortstop/closer had a breakout season in 2021, hitting nine home runs as part of the Foxes’ loaded batting order. And he had a good idea of what was coming.
“I took into consideration my stats last year and what they would be throwing me, so I worked on a lot of outside pitches and off-speed pitches,” Ross said. “I worked on going the other way.
“I did a lot of strength and conditioning to get my velocity up, quick-twitch workouts. Everything is going well now.”
Going well, indeed. Ross has settled into the fourth spot for the Foxes (17-2), hitting .422 with 18 RBIs in the first 14 games.
“He’s been the rock in the center of the lineup,” Yorkville coach Tom Cerven said. “He was already a foundational piece last year. He’s settled in.
“There’s not a pitcher that we’ll face this year that he will shy away from.”
Ross said he started the season in the second slot for Yorkville, but after a short slump, he moved down to hitting cleanup. The results speak for themselves.
“Coach talked to me and asked what would be best,” Ross said. “It’s good he can be confident in me at the four spot.”
With his size, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Ross offers a different look at shortstop.
Still, Cerven feels like Ross could stick at the position when he continues his playing career at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa because of his athleticism and cannon of an arm.
“He’s very fluid,” Cerven said. “He’s a very put-together young man. A lot of high school players would love to be built the way he is. He uses that athleticism every day.
“At short, you have to be a very consistent fielder. If he can prove that with his athleticism, I don’t see why people wouldn’t keep him there. He has the capability to play anywhere on the field.”
One thing Kirkwood also allow Ross to keep doing is pitch. He has transitioned into the closer role for the Foxes so he can keep his arm fresh for shortstop.
“Closing is just as much fun as starting,” Ross said. “I’m still at shortstop the whole game, so I’m still into it.”
Ross (1-0) has struck out eight in 4 1/3 innings this season.
“With his live arm and his stuff, he has the potential to be very dangerous,” Cerven said. “He likes to throw from various arm angles as well. He’ll drop down and go more sidearm. He’s tough to hit.”
Despite getting offers from some bigger schools, Ross opted to go to a place where he can still play short and pitch.
He wants to see where his future leads from there.
“I’m always improving my game, so why not go to a JUCO, to a very good, talented team, just keep getting better and see where I can go from there?” Ross said. “Kirkwood really liked my athletic ability. We’ll see what I can do.”
Comeback kid: West Aurora was hit with some tough injury news early in the season.
Kent State recruit Matthew Tarr, a senior pitcher and catcher, broke his elbow. He’s still working his way back.
Junior shortstop Ryan Niedzwiedz also went down with an injury, but he returned to the Blackhawks’ lineup last Tuesday against Romeoville and promptly put up two hits.
Niedzwiedz also had two hits in a win over Plainfield Central. He launched his first homer of the season Monday at Oswego East.
“He’s good for a hit a game,” West Aurora coach John Reeves said of Niedzwiedz. “Having him back is nice. Having him in the middle lengthens the lineup out a little bit.”
Going strong: The inconsistent weather this season hasn’t slowed down Waubonsie Valley’s Logan Gregorio.
The senior outfielder launched his fifth home run of the season Tuesday, a towering shot to straightaway right at Metea Valley.
“He’s been good for us,” Waubonsie coach Bryan Acevedo said. “He’s put a lot of RBIs on the board and scored a bunch of runs, a few of them by way of the home run. He’s been solid for us.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.