(New Buffalo, MI) - He’s a freshman and still 14, but that hasn’t stopped Jeffrey Tertel from becoming the ace of the New Buffalo High School pitching staff.

 

Tertel was always one of the best pitchers in youth leagues in New Buffalo thanks to an overpowering fastball and his ability to consistently throw strikes. However, he didn’t expect to do as well as he has so quickly at the varsity level, where his fastball isn’t quite as overpowering as it was when the hitters he faced in youth leagues were closer to his age.

 

“I’m very surprised with the success I’ve had and I’m very happy about it,” he said.

 

The speed of his fastball clocked in the upper 60s to low 70s is still impressive for a freshman to go along with a curveball to keep hitters off stride. Right now, Tertel said he relies more on his defense to get hitters out by pitching to contact.

 

“I’m not the hardest thrower but I get it done,” he said.

 

Tertel, with several complete games this year, has been a difference-maker for a team that struggles to win when other pitchers take the mound due to their lack of consistency in hitting the strike zone. He gave a lot of credit for his athletic ability to his father, who he described as a superstar shortstop during his high school baseball-playing days in Racine, Wisconsin. Tertel said his father has also been involved in teaching him how to throw strikes and keeping his throws accurate.

 

“During the summer, I play catch with my dad almost every day and I have since I was really young,” he said.

 

Tertel, who lifts weights especially with his legs during the off-season, believes he can reach 90 miles per hour with his fastball by the time he’s a senior. His goal is to pitch for a Division 1 college program.

 

Head Coach Adam Lijewski said Tertel is a piece of the puzzle in terms of being a pitcher the team has needed to be more competitive on a regular basis.

 

“He’s like that link to put in there that completes it,” he said.

 

Lijewski said another thing helping Tertel is his knowledge of the game and having a good catcher in Vaughn Nikkel behind the plate, along with good gloves at every position in the infield and outfield. His endurance has also been a factor in the success of the team because it helps keep the arms of the other pitchers fresh.

 

“Jeffrey can give you 100 pitches. He helps out a lot,” he said.