Waubonsie Valley’s Owen Roberts is beginning to rethink his future.
A starting safety on the football team, the 6-foot, 180-pound Roberts is making a name for himself in baseball.
“I’m definitely really excited,” he said. “This year has gone really well. I’m growing more as a player. The sky is the limit for me. Before this season, I didn’t think I would be interested in playing baseball in college. But for my junior season to go this well, it has opened up my eyes a lot and maybe a window for Division I.”
Roberts, one of the main reasons the Warriors (18-9, 10-4) are in first place in the DuPage Valley Conference and on track to win 20 games for the first time since 2016, has been particularly important as a pitcher. He is 5-0 with two saves and a 1.49 ERA in 10 appearances, and he has struck out 42 and walked just five in 33 innings.
“I didn’t pitch (last year) but finally got an opportunity to show the coaches what I can do,” he said. “I understood my role last year and waited for my opportunity to come this year. It’s made me feel happy that all of my work paid off. I believed in myself and what I could do as a pitcher.”
Roberts was coming out of the bullpen at the beginning of the season, but Waubonsie Valley coach Bryan Acevedo said the staff eventually decided to put the right-hander in the rotation.
“We were hoping for him to close two games a week,” Acevedo said. “But we realized if we don’t have the lead, then we’re sitting on this arm that we think is pretty special and he’s not throwing.”
Roberts mixes his 89 mph fastball with a change-up and a curveball.
“I’m just trying to throw strikes, pitch to contact and trust my defense, and good things will happen,” he said. “My velocity allows me to blow it by hitters. I’m also throwing a lot of strikes, which is helping me out a lot. I get ahead by using my off-speed.”
Roberts is contributing in nearly every phase of the game. He plays shortstop when he’s not pitching and is batting .451 with seven doubles, two triples, three home runs, 23 RBIs and 22 runs scored. He homered twice and drove in seven runs during Waubonsie Valley’s win against Plainfield East on April 27.
“Owen is playing really good baseball,” Acevedo said. “We knew last year he was going to be special. He struggled at times defensively but offensively showed promise. This year he’s taken off on both sides of the ball.
“At the plate, he provides some pop for us. He finds a way to get on base, walks a bit and can hit home runs.”
Roberts, who had 58 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups during the football season, made his first varsity start on the mound against Metea Valley on April 18. He threw a two-hitter with no walks in the Warriors’ 3-2 win, which finished a three-game DVC sweep of the Mustangs. He has been a fixture in the starting rotation since then.
“He competes,” Acevedo said. “He doesn’t like to lose. That’s what makes him so good on the mound. … He’s able to focus in short bursts. He excels at that. I’m excited about his success and what he can do for the program.”
Waubonsie Valley freshman catcher Shane Torres said he had never worked with Roberts until this season and is impressed.
“Owen is such a tough pitcher because not only does he throw hard, but he also has great command and great secondary pitches,” Torres said. “He never lets anything get to his head on the mound. He’s someone you can always count on to get the job done on the mound.”
Roberts said he gained more than 15 pounds and added a few mph to his fastball in the offseason.
“I wasn’t taking my pitching seriously, but this year I’m finally taking it to the next level,” he said. “I never thought it would be this good. I knew I was a good pitcher but wasn’t sure I would have a 1.49 ERA.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
