{"id":75958,"date":"2019-02-07T21:49:28","date_gmt":"2019-02-08T03:49:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/?p=75958"},"modified":"2019-02-14T14:58:45","modified_gmt":"2019-02-14T20:58:45","slug":"night-of-the-ace-who-will-step-up-as-northwesterns-friday-night-starter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/night-of-the-ace-who-will-step-up-as-northwesterns-friday-night-starter\/","title":{"rendered":"Night of the Ace: Who will step up as Northwestern&#8217;s Friday night starter?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>By Andre Toran<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Medill Reports<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dropcap\">That pitcher who runs out onto the mound on Friday nights is the pacesetter for the rest of the weekend in college baseball.<\/p>\n<p>The first game of a weekend set is crucial to how teams tends to perform, so programs put their best guy on the mound to give them the best shot at winning Game One.<\/p>\n<p>The Friday night Ace \u2013 the No. 1 starter in the rotation &#8212; isn\u2019t afraid of the lights, the big stage, or the moment. The starter refuses to be intimidated by opposing lineups and boasts a confidence and mental fortitude that will get him out of jams. He is the leader and anchor of the starting rotation Northwestern pitching coach Josh Reynolds said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYour team feels that when he touches the mound, we have a chance to win this game,\u201d said Reynolds and Northwestern has to figure out who that guy is for them in 2019.<\/p>\n<p>Expect Northwestern\u2019s decision to come sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>The Wildcats will take on Brigham Young University at 7 p.m. Friday in Mesa, Arizona, and someone must take the mound.<\/p>\n<p>As the first pitch of the year moves closer, the Northwestern University coaching staff has its options trimmed to three: Hank Christie, Jack Pagliarini and Quinn Lavelle, all returners with a solid amount of innings under their belt.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the bevy of arms, they have confidence in throughout their pitching staff, Christie, Pagliarini and Lavelle will be the locks in their starting rotation. Still, the Wildcats must decide whom they are going to hand the ball on Friday nights.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_75998\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-75998\" style=\"width: 1100px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-75998\" src=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/coach-reynolds-v.-Nebraska-2.17.18.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/coach-reynolds-v.-Nebraska-2.17.18.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/coach-reynolds-v.-Nebraska-2.17.18-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/coach-reynolds-v.-Nebraska-2.17.18-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/coach-reynolds-v.-Nebraska-2.17.18-1024x819.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-75998\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Northwestern pitching coach Josh Reynolds prepares for game time in the dugout vs. Nebraska on February 17. (Carolyn Katz\/Carolyn Katz Photography).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cObviously, what you would like to have is three Friday-type guys on the weekend, right?\u201d said Reynolds, his voice full of promise. \u201cYou want to be able to create that depth, as we all know everything starts on the mound in baseball. If you can build that depth and create that depth with your starting rotation that sets you off on a good note.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re talking about Christie, Lavelle, Pagliarini. They\u2019re all three different, but all three give you that same belief &#8211; that this guy could do it. Now, they just have to go out there and execute different things.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The differences in what each pitcher does well is a part of the dilemma. Here\u2019s a tale of the tape for the three, based on team staff and clubhouse reviews.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_75987\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-75987\" style=\"width: 1100px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-75987\" src=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/chrsitie-v.-Nebraska-2.17.jpg\" alt=\"Hank Chrsitie v. Nebraska 2.17\" width=\"1100\" height=\"733\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/WP%20Media%20Folder%20-%20medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/chrsitie-v.-Nebraska-2.17.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/WP%20Media%20Folder%20-%20medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/chrsitie-v.-Nebraska-2.17-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/WP%20Media%20Folder%20-%20medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/chrsitie-v.-Nebraska-2.17-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/WP%20Media%20Folder%20-%20medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/chrsitie-v.-Nebraska-2.17-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-75987\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hank Christie sets up to throw a pitch against the University of Nebraska in February. (Carolyn Katz, Carolyn Katz Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Christie:\u00a0<\/strong>The oldest of the trio, Christie, a junior, has the most experience of the three. The righty sports the classic three-pitch mix (fastball, changeup, curve), however it\u2019s his confidence that can really elevate his game to the next level when he\u2019s on.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s very competitive, and he\u2019s not intimidated by anybody,\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reynolds said. \u201cHe thinks he\u2019s the best. That\u2019s his main\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 motivation; his strength.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76001\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76001\" style=\"width: 1100px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-76001\" src=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/Lavelle-v-TU-3.2-2.jpg\" alt=\"Lavelle v UT 3.2.18\" width=\"1100\" height=\"733\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/WP%20Media%20Folder%20-%20medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/Lavelle-v-TU-3.2-2.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/WP%20Media%20Folder%20-%20medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/Lavelle-v-TU-3.2-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/WP%20Media%20Folder%20-%20medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/Lavelle-v-TU-3.2-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/WP%20Media%20Folder%20-%20medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/Lavelle-v-TU-3.2-2-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76001\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Northwestern left-handed pitcher Quinn Lavelle throws warmup pitches between innings vs. the University of Texas on March 2. (Carolyn Katz\/Carolyn Katz Photography).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Lavelle:\u00a0<\/strong>The lefty sophomore may have the best feel on the mound, Reynolds said. Lavelle is described by his teammates as a crafty lefty that always finds himself in the right position on the mound and has a level of composure that makes him tough to fluster.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe is the coolest dude on the mound. He\u2019s never psyched out,\u201d Christie said. \u201cThat\u2019s something I pride myself in, but that\u2019s something I look at Quinn for; every situation he\u2019s so smooth, so \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 calm.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76003\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76003\" style=\"width: 1100px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-76003\" src=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/pagliarini-3.17.jpg\" alt=\"jack pagliarini 3.17.18\" width=\"1100\" height=\"733\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/pagliarini-3.17.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/pagliarini-3.17-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/pagliarini-3.17-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/pagliarini-3.17-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76003\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Northwestern left-handed pitcher Jack Pagliarini winds up to throw in a game against Central Michigan University last March. (Carolyn Katz\/Carolyn Katz Photography).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Pagliarini: <\/strong>Out of the three, Pagliarini may have the best \u201cstuff\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 on the team according to head\u00a0 coach Spencer Allen.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Pagliarini\u2019s repertoire features a breaking ball that gives opposing\u00a0 batters a\u00a0 tough time, and consequently drives up Pagliarini\u2019s\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 strikeout rate compared to Christie and Lavelle that pitch more\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 to contact to generate outs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wish I had that curve ball,\u201d said Lavelle with a fervor. \u201cThat\u2019s\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 just a dirty, nasty pitch.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The skillset each pitcher boasts has some of the qualities a coach looks for when tabbing the ace of a college pitching staff. Between the three of them, there\u2019s grit, confidence, composure, and intensity.<\/p>\n<p>The decision for the Northwestern coaching staff will by no means be easy.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, it\u2019s not the coaching staff alone that\u2019s aware of each pitchers\u2019 ability, the importance of the Friday night starter, and what each pitcher needs to do to assume the role of staff ace. Rather, the eyes of all three have been on one another.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t know if they do, but I am certainly checking up on a couple of their numbers when they throw to see how they are doing,\u201d said Christie with a sly grin, mentioning that he felt a sense of competition growing in the summer as the strides Lavelle and Pagliarini made in the weight room and beyond catalyzed his desire to work harder.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_76005\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76005\" style=\"width: 1100px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-76005\" src=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/feature-image_christie-opening-day-v.-Nebraska-2.17.jpg\" alt=\"christie opening day v. Nebraska 2.17\" width=\"1100\" height=\"733\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/WP%20Media%20Folder%20-%20medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/feature-image_christie-opening-day-v.-Nebraska-2.17.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/WP%20Media%20Folder%20-%20medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/feature-image_christie-opening-day-v.-Nebraska-2.17-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/WP%20Media%20Folder%20-%20medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/feature-image_christie-opening-day-v.-Nebraska-2.17-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/medill.wordpress.offload\/WP%20Media%20Folder%20-%20medill-reports-chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/feature-image_christie-opening-day-v.-Nebraska-2.17-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-76005\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Northwestern righty Hank Christie throws a pitch on opening day last February against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (Carolyn Katz\/Carolyn Katz Photography).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But Christie wanted to make it clear that whatever competition existed between the trio was friendly, and if anything, was helpful to the development of all three.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are competitive in everything we do; it\u2019s always respectful,\u201d Christie urged. \u201cI\u2019ve seen personally how toxic things can get when it\u2019s disrespectful and your doing nasty things to get the leg up, and that\u2019s not worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As Pagliarini put it, \u201cIt\u2019s not necessarily a verbal competition, but you know.\u201d This unwritten, unspoken sense of competition is felt everyday according to the three vying for the job, and Pagliarini insisted the atmosphere is \u201cbreeding the best performance we can get.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The atmosphere is wringing the competitive juices out of the entire Northwestern pitching staff, as pitchers must bring their best stuff every day. They have no space to be off their game, and this approach will hopefully bring the best out of every pitcher.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou want them to do well,\u201d Pagliarini said. \u201cAnd you want them to do well because that means you\u2019re going to have to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, for the Wildcats coaching staff, the process of deciding whom they will run out there on Friday night will come down to several things:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How each pitcher handles the \u201crunning game,\u201d and manages the runners on base and the pressure that runners can apply to the Wildcats defense.<\/li>\n<li>Can the person handle the Friday night atmosphere? Or does one of the three have a better feel for pitching the Saturday or Sunday game to follow, which carries less pressure?<\/li>\n<li>Who gives NU the best chance at winning on Friday night? The numbers each pitcher produces throughout the year will come into play as the season moves forward.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Regardless of who that might be, the Northwestern coaching staff is confident that either one of trio can go out and set the tone, not only for the first weekend of the season, but for the year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhatever happens in the end, I think everyone\u2019s going to be happy as long as the team does well,\u201d Lavelle said. \u201cObviously, everyone wants to be the \u2018Friday night guy\u2019\u2026 but it\u2019s definitely competing and knowing that you want to make the guys around you better.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"featurecaption\">Photo at top: A Northwestern baseball cap and glove stand proud in the dugout before the April 7 game against the University of Michigan. (Carolyn Katz\/Carolyn Katz Photography)<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Andre Toran Medill Reports That pitcher who runs out onto the mound on Friday nights is the pacesetter for the rest of the weekend in college baseball. The first game of a weekend set is crucial to how teams tends to perform, so programs put their best guy on the mound to give them [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":538,"featured_media":75984,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31,4559],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","category-winter-2019"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Night of the Ace: Who will step up as Northwestern&#039;s Friday night starter? - Medill Reports Chicago<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/night-of-the-ace-who-will-step-up-as-northwesterns-friday-night-starter\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Night of the Ace: Who will step up as Northwestern&#039;s Friday night starter? - Medill Reports Chicago\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By Andre Toran Medill Reports That pitcher who runs out onto the mound on Friday nights is the pacesetter for the rest of the weekend in college baseball. 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