By DAVID COOK
Rockford baseball coach Matt Vriesenga knows a thing or two about pitching.
A former minor league pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization and a former pitching coach at Calvin College, Vriesenga knows the value of a strong pitching staff and knows a good pitcher when he sees one. When Vriesenga shows up for a Rockford game or practice this spring, he feels mighty happy with what he sees.
One of the top teams in the state in Division 1, the Rams have a pitching staff full of top-of-the-line high school pitchers, many of whom are future college pitchers.
At the top of the rotation is the one-two punch of juniors Bryce Kelley and Jack Weisenburger. Kelley, a lefthander, has already committed to Michigan State University, where he will also see action as an outfielder. He is an all-around talent who is hitting over .500 for the Rams this spring. On the mound, he has a fastball that sits in the mid-80s, and he can throw three pitches for strikes.
Weisenburger is a power-pitching righthander who has already made a commitment to the University of Michigan. Weisenburger’s fastball reaches the mid to high 80s, and he averages close to 13 strikeouts per nine innings.
Together, the duo gives the Rams a devastating pair of hurlers at the top of the rotation. “Bryce and Jack are 1A and 1B,” Vriesenga said. “They are both having great years for us. They have both been pitching real well for us.”
To further the Rams’ pitching riches, they have a staff of arms that goes eight or nine deep. Senior infielder Landon Haney, who is headed to Butler University, is also part of the pitching staff, as is third baseman Connor Jackson, who will be playing baseball at Hope College next year.
“Having pitching like we have is a luxury,” Vriesenga said. “It’s nice going into most games knowing you have a great chance to be in the game whether we hit or not.”
Rockford has been able to hit more times than not, thanks to a potent lineup that includes Nolan Bryant, Corey Stankus, Ethan LaCourt, Tyler Pellerito, Haney, and Jackson.