Senior pitcher Kyle Koerner realized it wasn’t too late to start over from scratch.
At the same time, Koerner decided a change of scenery would help, so he transferred to Aurora Christian from Minooka. It has helped him find a new focus, a new energy — and a perfect fit.
“I didn’t have the best overall experience at Minooka, and I just wanted to change up my last year of high school,” Koerner said. “I think I have even been looked up to by some of the younger guys, the sophomores and freshmen.
“I fit in really well with the other guys.”
It’s really early to make a snap judgement, but Koerner struck out four and scattered three hits and three walks in four innings Wednesday during a 3-1 season-opening loss to West Aurora at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove.
Still, the right-handed Koerner is optimistic about his future with Aurora Christian (0-1). He showed great movement and complete command of his pitches against West Aurora (1-0).
“I don’t throw the ball the hardest, but my off-speed is really good,” Koerner said. “I can locate my slider or curveball, and I keep the three and four batters off balance.”
Koerner is also slated to play in the outfield or at second base in the games he’s not pitching. He’s featured in the heart of the batting order, slotting in as the fifth or sixth hitter.
The transition to a new program can be tricky to navigate. Being a senior only accelerated the process for Koerner.
“Kyle has been great,” Aurora Christian coach Andy Zorger said. “It took him a bit to get acclimated, but he jumped in and started attending open gyms, getting to know the other players.
“He seems to be getting more comfortable each day, and I think his teammates see he is going to be a huge asset for us on the mound, at the plate and defensively in the outfield.”
Koerner has already built a rapport with his most important teammate, junior catcher Kaleb Elwood.
“I’ve known Kyle for about three months now, and the kid’s just a total, all-around stud,” Elwood said. “He’s a great worker, super hard worker, and a great guy to be with in the dugout.
“I’ve had great chemistry with all of my pitchers, but Kyle has so much to offer besides the pitching part. He’s great to work with in a game but also at practice. He really listens to what I notice in his mechanics and is very eager to learn.”
Like a lot of pitchers, Koerner keeps himself under control and maintains that necessary inner drive. He also has a hypercompetitive side.
“Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to win at everything,” he said. “Even if it was just playing basketball in the backyard, I always want to win no matter what.”
Growing up in Shorewood, Koerner was a huge Chicago Cubs fan. That sense of affection and personal identity served to sparked his interest.
“I was probably 8 years old, and I watched Anthony Rizzo or Starlin Castro,” he said. “I wanted to be just like that.”
Being a pitcher is like being the conductor of an orchestra. No other player so prominently shapes the international dynamics of a game. Koerner has learned to embrace that power.
“I just love having the game in my hand because I trust myself over anyone else,” he said. “When I’m on the mound, I tell myself I’m in the one who’s in control of the game — nobody else is.
“I control my own destiny throughout the game, and I’m locked in on that moment.”
With his double K initials marking the abbreviation for strikeouts, Koerner was seemingly destined to be in this role. He relishes the chance of expanded opportunities at Aurora Christian.
“My signature is the backwards K and then the K back to back,” he said.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
