Michael Scarpelli was a prime candidate to become Libertyville’s ace after leading the staff in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched last season.
If four starts are any indication, the senior right-hander is proving he belongs in that spot.
“It’s a role I cherish, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead the staff,” Scarpelli said. “I’ve trained a lot to be able to step into this role as proficiently as I have.”
Scarpelli was proficient enough to record a 1.78 ERA and 26 strikeouts over his first 19 ⅔ innings for the Wildcats (6-7-2) this season. After a trip to Arizona during spring break, they turned to Scarpelli for their North Suburban Conference opener on April 3. The College of Wooster commit held Warren to one earned run over six innings while striking out eight and walking none.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Scarpelli’s arsenal can include up to four pitches but centers on his fastball in the mid-80s, and he said he strives to “funnel” other pitches off that. He tries to get his slider and his curveball to mirror the fastball’s appearance.
“My goal for the season was to establish the fastball and go after batters,” he said. “I don’t see any reason to pitch around guys.”
If it sounds like Scarpelli is brimming with confidence, he is. There are several reasons for that.
Libertyville coach Matt Thompson has been impressed by Scarpelli’s ability to attack the strike zone and the outstanding control he has exhibited while walking just five batters. Scarpelli also has a crisp pace on the mound.
But another factor is easily overlooked.
“The one thing that sets him apart this year is his sharpened mental side,” Thompson said. “He gets into his routine and locks in, and he has a healthy mindset in how to approach being an athlete and handling adversity.”
Scarpelli has participated in a before-school program taught by Libertyville athletic director John Woods called Wildcats Will, which was initiated shortly after Woods arrived in 2018.
“One of the main goals is to gather student-athletes in a controlled setting where we can teach peak-performance principles and leadership development,” Woods said. “Michael has been a staple, sitting in the same spot in the front row, really soaking everything up.”
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The application of several of the 10 “pillars of peak performance” emphasized by the program dovetails nicely with pitching, and one of the tangible ways Scarpelli adheres to the program’s message is through journaling.
“I write basic notes during and after I work out, and it leads to me knowing better how I plan to do it the next time,” he said. “I’ve now started extending it to everything I do.”
Scarpelli said he is also committed to the idea of building a series of “small wins” throughout the day. He referenced a protocol popularized by William H. McRaven, a retired four-star admiral in the U.S. Navy, in which simple tasks like waking up in the morning on “first alarm” and making your bed can help lead to a productive day.
“You start your day off winning 2-0, and it’s a way to ensure you have intent for everything,” Scarpelli said. “The more wins you build up, the more you have to fall back on when setbacks occur. Those small wins build confidence, and that can translate to things like your body language on the mound.”
During Scarpelli’s start in Arizona, he allowed three earned runs and struck out five in 4 ⅓ innings against nationally ranked Casteel of Queen Creek, Arizona. He wasn’t entirely satisfied with that outing. So he set up two tees on either side of the batter’s box during a post-trip bullpen session to help visualize the center of the plate. Two days later, he pitched a gem against Warren.
“I threw really well (in Arizona), but my strike percentage wasn’t where I wanted it to be,” Scarpelli said. “I used to try to be too perfect with my mechanics. But with a healthy mindset, I’m much more free and easy with how I pitch.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
