In his early youth, Whitehall’s Jack Lloyd remembered playing right field - and pitching didn’t appear to be in the picture.

However, once Lloyd tried it, pitching proved to be a literal game-changer for him.

“I started playing baseball when I was 4-years-old playing grasshopper baseball for Egypt Park,” recalled Lloyd. “I never knew of the sport until my parents signed me up for the first ever time. I fell in love with the sport right away. My primary position when I was a kid was right field.

“I remember the day Coach Dauberman pulled me in to pitch for the first time ever. After my first outing I didn’t want to do anything else but pitch. It was my favorite position and still is to this day as I continue my high school career.”

Through the team’s first eight games, Lloyd has a 1-0 record with a 3.34 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 14.2 innings.

Lloyd has been working on improving his current pitching repertoire.

“I can’t say I’m working on new pitches this year,” said Lloyd. “I’ve been mostly working on improving the pitches I already throw. My coaches have done a lot for me the past three years. They see a lot of potential in me and they are pushing me every single day to become a better pitcher.

“My coaches and I have worked all winter on being able to command my pitches and to be able to hit spots in the strike zone. We have done a lot of technique training. It’s about making sure I stay on my back side longer, staying closed until delivery. My coaches work every day to make me better. I have seen so many improvements the last three years under the Whitehall coaching staff.”

Head coach Eric Schmitt sees Lloyd on the brink of a breakout season after treading with him slowly at the start.

“We had to be cautious with Lloyd to start the season,” noted Schmitt. “He is now at full strength. His potential is off the charts. He is just a very talented and hardworking individual.”

Along with his pitching, Lloyd has been improving his hitting. Through eight games, Lloyd was hitting .294 with four RBIs, a .556 OBP, and 10 walks.

“I feel a lot more confident this year than previous years,” stated Lloyd. “My coach (Schmitt) has worked very hard with me on the offseason to improve my hitting. I feel like I am seeing the strike zone a lot better. I’m able to read the ball out of the pitchers hand a lot better. I give all credit to my coach, I wouldn’t be the hitter I am today without him and all the time he has spent with me.”

Lloyd likes the makeup of the team and their potential.

“I see our team being very strong,” boasted Lloyd. “I’ve played with a lot of these dudes since I was a kid. Our team is different from other teams.

“First, we have a lot of team chemistry. Second, we all have the mental mind set each and every day at practice to strive to get better each and every day. Our team is full of guys that love the game of baseball and only want to win. I see us going very far, and I believe we will have a very strong season.”