Naperville North senior Jackson Prentice was throwing a bullpen session shortly before the season started when his shoulder started barking.
He didn’t listen.
“I threw a change-up and felt some discomfort that I never felt before,” Prentice said. “I didn’t think anything of it because I’ve had arm soreness before, and so I kept throwing.
“I played the first game with the soreness and then went on spring break thinking resting my arm would be the cure to it.”
But it wasn’t. After returning from spring break, Prentice visited a doctor, who ordered an MRI. He continued playing until he got the results of the MRI, which showed a partially torn labrum.
The injury was a big blow for both Prentice and the Huskies, who were counting on the McHenry County College commit to be the ace of their pitching staff as well as a dependable glove at first base.
“I’ve never dealt with an injury before, so it kind of flustered me,” Prentice said. “I came into this season wanting to be that guy on the mound and dominate.
“So dealing with that kind of set me down a little bit. But my doctors said I could still swing, so I’ve been making the most of it at the plate being able to do something.”
Prentice became the full-time designated hitter, and he has been a revelation in the new role. He was hitting .394 with four doubles, five home runs, 25 RBIs and 14 runs scored out of the third spot in the lineup for the Huskies (12-12) before the DuPage Valley Conference Tournament opener Tuesday.
“(The injury) was tough news for him,” Naperville North coach Jim Chiappetta said. “He had legitimate Division I stuff on the mound. That’s what he’s going to McHenry County to do. But he has swung the bat so well that he has sort of played himself into being possibly a two-way player in college.”
Chiappetta told Prentice at the end of last season that he needed to hit for more power. Prentice took it to heart and has impressed everyone with his improvement.
“He’s come up huge for us with the bat,” Naperville North junior catcher Zach Bava said. “Last year, he was a guy that hit well, but he didn’t really hit for any power. He was a singles guy.”
Not anymore.
“This year he’s got four home runs in the DVC,” Bava said. “It’s all been jump-starters in the first inning or late in the game. He hit two against Neuqua, which is huge for us. When our offense is in a slump and we need a big play, Jackson is always there for us.”
Prentice started hitting the ball harder over the summer, which boosted his confidence. He called the injury a blessing in disguise because it forced him to concentrate entirely on hitting this season.
But being a DH was not any easy adjustment.
“I’m kind of excited about that because I’ve never been a DH, but it definitely sucks seeing everybody out in the field,” Prentice said. “Some people don’t like playing the field, but I do, especially at first, where you’re involved in almost every play.
“But I’ve got to get through it because I know I can’t play in the field. So I’m just focusing on being better and more productive at the plate, helping out the team as best I can.”
Prentice has managed to help in many different ways.
“Jackson is one of the best teammates I’ve ever worked with,” Bava said. “He hasn’t wavered since he hasn’t been able to pitch or play first base. Every day he comes and he helps the people that are younger or haven’t gotten into many games, like (sophomore) Caden Vorwick, the kid who hit the walk-off single (against Glenbard East on Saturday).”
Prentice, who hopes to resume throwing after the season and will undergo physical therapy during the summer, has even been a sounding board for Bava, an Illinois State commit.
“Jackson has been a huge help keeping me in check and telling me what I’m doing wrong so I can fix it,” Bava said. “I need a teammate like that.”
All teams do.
“We were obviously counting on him to be the guy on the mound,” Chiappetta said. “But we’ve had kids step up, and I think he’s made up for it with the jump he’s made offensively.
“He has the understanding that, ‘If I’m going to have this role, I’m going to own it.’ That’s what he’s done.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
