The promise and potential were there, albeit drowned out by defensive woes that sunk the John Stark baseball team to a 7-9 record last spring.
So coming into this year, Coach Dennis Pelletier was confident his Generals were ready to make the climb in Division II.
He didn’t need to find an ace to lead them there – with Egan Nickerson, Pelletier had one of the best in the class.
“Every game that he’s pitched, we’ve thought we had an excellent chance of winning,” Pelletier said. “The kid’s been outstanding all year.”
The Generals posted a 12-4 regular-season record this year, and Nickerson was a main reason why. The senior went 5-2 – allowing no earned runs in one of those losses – while compiling a miniscule 0.72 ERA.
For John Stark to join the division’s elite, there was no secret it needed Nickerson to shine. The right-hander knew it, and took it as a challenge.
“I love that. I love being the guy that they look to to go out and get us a win,” he said. “I took it as my responsibility. I wanted this for our whole program.”
Nickerson’s best asset has been his control. He walked only five batters in 48 innings during the regular season, making it a point to keep hitters guessing from the first pitch to the last.
“I think I’ve gotten smarter over the years, not giving good hitters good pitches to hit,” he said. “Just knowing my spots and hitting my spots.”
“He has a very smooth delivery that’s very sound,” Pelletier said. “His motion is smooth and not rushed, so I think the fastball does sneak up on people.”
It’s at the plate, however, where he’s improved the most. A shortstop and second baseman when he doesn’t pitch, Nickerson batted .220 last year while being hindered by a long swing. Pelletier worked with him to lower his hands and shorten his motion, and the results have been a .357 batting average that has taken him to the heart of the lineup and a .491 on-base percentage that has led the team.
“I was at .462 and kids just started to laugh,” Nickerson said. “I couldn’t believe it. I never expected that. It’s been fun, and it’s made it more enjoyable.”
The improvements have allowed him to be confident in both phases of the game. He expects to win on the mound and hit at the plate, and that poise doesn’t shake.
“He’s a quiet leader. When he speaks, it definitely does get the kids’ attention. He never stresses,” Pelletier said. “He keeps a level head, and I think that’s what’s led to his success, especially as a pitcher.”