With Stevenson’s Brandon Schultz on the field, hitting home runs isn’t the only way to manufacture offense.
The senior outfielder’s speed not only gives the Patriots a jolt, but also puts pressure on opponents to try to keep him in check.
“He’s a real threat with his speed, someone who’s great to have at the top of the order,” Stevenson coach Nick Skala said. “He’s sneaky fast, but when he gets going, he flies. It’s wild to see.”
Schultz was 23 for 23 as a base stealer last season, helping him score 29 runs in 40 games. He hit .385 with a .504 on-base percentage to ensure he spent plenty of time on the base paths, and he was remarkably productive — producing 10 extra-base hits and 33 RBIs — for someone who bats leadoff more often than not.
Schultz started this season with five hits in his first 11 at-bats with five steals and five runs scored for the Patriots (2-2).
“It’s always about setting the tone with that first at-bat,” Schultz said. “I love going up there, especially if we’re the visitors, and getting something going. Being the first guy on base is crazy important, and if you score, it can really support our pitchers.”
Scoring runs isn’t the only way Schultz supports Stevenson’s pitchers, however. He is also proficient at preventing runs by tracking down virtually anything hit near him in center field.
“I feel like in center you oversee everything in talking to right and left,” he said. “I enjoy being able to see everything and take control.”
Schultz is one of Stevenson’s four captains. His overarching leadership task strikes a balance between providing guidance for younger players and spreading messages crafted by coaches. He said he has discovered various ways of doing so effectively, including by cracking a joke when things get tense or seeking people out for a one-on-one conversation.
“I let them know I understand where they’re at and that it’s a long season,” Schultz said. “Coach is always talking about taking the other team’s best punch and fighting back right away. Once you lose that energy as a team, it’s tough to get it back.”
Energy seems to be at the core of what makes Schultz such an invaluable player for the Patriots, who aspire to go further than the Class 4A supersectional round, where they lost to New Trier last season.
“He can be that spark that a team really needs,” Stevenson senior shortstop Joe Dolenga said. “He’s always bringing the juice. But sometimes he’ll get upset with us, and that’s a wake-up call that’s needed. I appreciate that about him.”
Schultz can draw on experience outside baseball. For instance, he played wing on the Stevenson boys hockey team that won the 2022 Amateur Hockey Association Illinois state title and advanced to the national championship game in Dallas.
He harks back to a surprising loss to Glenbrook South that season to try to ensure his baseball teammates are clicking on all cylinders. The defeat came after two convincing wins against the Titans and left Stevenson searching for answers.
“We usually found ways to win, but we had one of those days, and everyone was confused,” Schultz said. “I’m sure we’ll have a game like that this year where we just don’t have it. How we respond is the big question.”
Given Schultz has played at such a high level in two sports, there had been a question about which one he would pursue long term. But he quit hockey and committed to play baseball at Eastern Illinois.
“I do truly love hockey, and it was difficult to quit, especially after the great sophomore year we had,” Schultz said. “I went to some hockey games this year, and that was hard. But I was feeling a little behind in baseball and felt it was best to get a full offseason in because this is a big year.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
