In Highland’s chase for history, senior pitcher Caden VanderMeyden is ready to shoulder the burden.
The 6-foot-4 right-hander has managed to mostly move past the discomfort in his throwing shoulder that was especially bothersome earlier this season. He said he also “tweaked” his left shoulder while batting. But VanderMeyden has remained focused on the Trojans’ mission to win their first sectional title since 2000.
“We’re just all excited to make history,” he said. “That 25 years, it’s been in my brain.
“I imagine going crazy when we win, jumping on each other. But we have to win the games first before we start thinking about that.”
VanderMeyden and the Trojans began the Class 3A East Chicago Central Sectional with a 12-1 victory against West Side in five innings on Wednesday night.
The Trinity Christian commit said he “got a feel for the mound” at Block Stadium with a perfect inning for Highland (15-13), striking out two while throwing just eight pitches, to lower his ERA to 1.33. He has 23 strikeouts in 26 ⅓ innings this season. He plays first base when he’s not pitching, and he’s batting .178.
“Pitching-wise, I feel good,” VanderMeyden said. “I have the confidence. Hitting-wise, it’s been pretty hard. I still have the confidence, but it hasn’t worked out in my favor. But pitching, I want the ball, and I want to make history.”
The Trojans advanced to play East Chicago Central (12-13) in the sectional semifinals on Friday. If that game goes according to their plan, they’ll play either Bishop Noll or Griffith in the championship game on Monday with a healthier VanderMeyden on the mound.
“A couple of weeks ago, my arm was hurting bad,” he said. “But I got some rest. I iced it. I got through it. It’s gotten better. It’s not as bad as it was. I’m ready to go.”
Zak Pizer, a 2018 Highland graduate and former assistant who in his second season as coach, is ready for VanderMeyden to take the ball.
“CJ’s our most reliable guy,” Pizer said. “He’s the guy that we want on that mound. Hopefully he can get that job done that we haven’t seen in 25 years.
“He hasn’t had as many innings as we’d like him to have. We were like, ‘OK, let’s slow it down a little bit.’ We wanted to conserve him for sectionals, make sure he was ready for sectionals.”
Highland junior catcher Kirk Dapshis appreciates VanderMeyden’s efforts.
“CJ, that’s my boy right there,” Dapshis said. “That’s my ace. He’s the guy. When he’s on the mound, we know it’s going to be a good day. He’s been in the right mindset. He’s battled.
“He’s had days where his arm might not feel good, but he comes back the next week, and no matter who we’re playing, no matter where it is, no matter when it is, he’s there and competes. He competes every pitch. That’s what matters to us, and that’s what matters to him.”
VanderMeyden was more of a first baseman earlier in his career. But he was a key member of Highland’s staff that was headed by then-senior Kyle Stacy last season, posting a 1.81 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 27 innings.
“We knew he’d be the guy this year when he beat Andrean last year,” Pizer said of VanderMeyden. “When he beat Andrean, he really kind of said he had something special.
“He has the height for it, he has the build for it, he has the heart for it when he wants it, and he has the stuff for it. When his stuff is on, he can compete with anyone in the state.”
VanderMeyden is figuring that out for himself.
“I’m surprised I’ve been doing this well, actually,” he said. “Being the ace, I was all scared. Last year going into this year, I was like, ‘I’m going to be one of the only guys.’ But it’s been going well. I’ve gotten a good feel, and I’ve improved since last year.”
After playing basketball during his sophomore and junior years, VanderMeyden decided to concentrate more on baseball. He also joined the tennis team as a junior, having never competed in the sport before, and played No. 1 doubles last season.
“I didn’t play basketball this year, so I got to more baseball workouts this winter,” VanderMeyden said. “It pays off here in games.”
The Trojans hope the ultimate payoff occurs next week.
“We’re optimistic,” Pizer said. “We’d like to think that we’re the favorite just because we don’t want to say we’re going to go in there and lose.
“We’re very hungry. We want this bad, and our kids are showing it. They want it. Not like every other year they didn’t want it — every year they’ve wanted it — but this year, you can see it in their eyes. They want to be at that regional and even farther if we can.”
VanderMeyden definitely wants it.
“I’m just excited for sectionals,” he said. “I’m excited to be winning some sectional games. I’m excited to be the favorite to win a sectional championship.
“We’ve always had Hanover and Andrean and LC (Lake Central) in our sectional, and come sectionals, you’re like, ‘Oh, crap,’ because you have those ranked teams and you have one of the hardest schedules. We’re in a good spot.”