Last season didn’t go according to plan for Antioch’s Jack Olson.
With a big jump in velocity and a commanding physical presence on the mound, the 6-foot-3 right-hander expected to be a formidable complement to TJ Schuyler. But it didn’t quite work out that way.
“There were a couple too many times when I didn’t have the consistency I needed,” Olson said. “There was no midpoint for me. I was either really good or really bad.”
But Olson’s confidence has never been higher as he begins his senior season. He has signed a national letter of intent to continue his career at Northern Illinois, allowing him to cast aside any doubts about whether college coaches see his potential.
“It was a big relief off my shoulders,” Olson said. “It will definitely help with confidence. I’ve always had the mindset to do my best, but it’s changed because I don’t feel like I have anyone to impress besides myself.”
Olson said he also has a better feel for the mental side of pitching. He knows he has to be more efficient and can’t depend so much on strikeouts, even though his fastball hit 94 mph during winter workouts. He has come to realize that getting outs early in the count can be just as good as striking out a batter and he has to take that approach from the opening pitch.
“I have to be less selfish as a pitcher and not care about striking out everyone I face,” Olson said. “It’s about getting on the field and getting off the field. The longer I go in games, the more good I can do for the team and give us a better chance to win.”
Olson had 50 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings for the Sequoits (20-14-1) last season, but his command was lacking. He walked 25 batters and allowed 51 hits while giving up 31 earned runs.
“He’s still pretty raw, but he’s got all of the tools physically, plus the work ethic and drive to be great,” Antioch coach Frank Fracek said. “I can’t wait to see the day when he puts it all together.”
With that in mind, Olson said he has a couple of goals for this season. For one thing, he wants to be more effective in the first inning.
“Struggling in the first inning as a pitcher is an awful way to set up a game,” he said.
Olson has also recommitted to his off-speed pitches, which was discussed during conversations with NIU coaches. Among his tweaks is a new grip on his slider. He said he’s splitting his fingers more and has changed where he holds the ball, allowing him to get “behind” it more and employ later wrist movement.
“There’s no doubt that my old off-speed would have held up in high school,” Olson said. “But what they brought up was working on what I needed to be better at.”
Teammates got a glimpse of this version of Olson in preseason workouts. Junior Nathan Yeager, who notes Olson’s tendencies on the mound since he’s also a pitcher, has had to face Olson in live batting practice too.
“He’s a scary guy to go up against because he’s amped up and there’s no time to relax with him,” Yeager said. “Pitchers like him don’t care who they’re going against. He’s a different animal.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
