The life, mind and solitary state of being a pitcher. It’s one against the world.
Naperville Central senior Charlie Diiulio has accepted all of that.
You learn how to mitigate failure — to not let it negatively impact the rest of your performance. The very nature of being elevated on a mound invites constant scrutiny.
It’s also impossible to shirk from responsibility or hide from things that might happen. Surrounded by teammates, with the spotlight on, the pitcher still remains alone.
“It’s never going to go perfect, not in anybody’s case,” Diiulio said. “It’s a part of the game. I always look at it as one pitch at a time.
“You can’t live in the future and you can’t look back at anything. You only have the present moment.”
The present for Diiulio, an Augustana recruit, includes experiencing his first career loss Tuesday in a 9-3 DuPage Valley Conference setback against Waubonsie Valley.
Working 4 2/3 innings, Diiulio (2-1) gave up seven hits and five runs. He struck out four. Junior catcher Colin Barczi hit a home run for Naperville Central (8-1, 1-1).
“He beat us last year in the rubber match Game 3 of the series and did a great job of keeping us off balance,” Waubonsie coach Bryan Acevedo said of Diiulio. “(Tuesday), we were able to get to him early.
“He is definitely a good pitcher. He competes and is always in the strike zone.”
Senior catcher Logan Gregorio went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in the sixth inning for Waubonsie (5-5, 1-1).
“He’s a great competitor and a good kid,” Gregorio said of Diiulio. “I love the way he plays the game. He’s got good stuff.
“I look forward to going up against him when he’s at Augustana and I’m at Benedictine.”
As a junior last season, Diiulio went 4-0 with a 2.04 ERA in 34 1/3 innings.
“I like to compete,” he said. “I define myself as almost electric. I am a fan of the way I play. I play this game for a reason.
“I just love competing against kids in the box who are just as good as I am on the mound.”
In making the leap from the freshman to varsity level following the canceled pandemic season, Diiulio showed poise, toughness and the ability to get out of tough situations.
“He’s a talented kid who really wants to be successful,” Naperville Central coach Mike Stock said. “He’s got this great combination of competitiveness and humbleness.
“He’s a great teammate. By that, I mean he came up last year with a great group of seniors and earned their respect. Charlie showed how much he really wanted to play with them and for them.”
Diiulio credits his father, John, for encouraging and supporting his early ambition.
“Growing up, I’d always watch baseball with my family,” he said. “I thought one day I could get there. You have to have a drive for the game.
“My father put all of these coaches in front of me. They have helped me thrive and become the player and person I am today.”
By his own account, Diiuolo’s fastball is not overpowering but it moves and dances. He has excellent control.
Diiulio said his slider, which he began throwing last year, is his secret weapon.
The greatest thrill of being a pitcher, according to Diiulio, is the willingness to fail.
“My biggest thing is that I love good competition,” he said. “I always try to get the best games possible. I love facing kids who can challenge me.
“I don’t mind if a guy gets a base hit on me. You have to learn how to battle back.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.