Club to Closer: Stolley's Perseverance Pays Off
July 23, 2015 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Green Bay Rockers News Release
Green Bay Bullfrogs Pitcher Jake Stolley
(Green Bay Rockers)
Green Bay, WI- When Jake Stolley (Northwestern) graduated high school in Iowa, there were not NCAA Division 1 programs providing him with scholarship offers. As a rising senior, now the 6'5" southpaw can make an argument he is both the Northwoods League and Big Ten's best shutdown relief pitcher.
Stolley's path to the spotlight is rooted largely in his ability to succeed in the classroom. He was his class valedictorian and his primary objective in selecting a college was steered toward an elite education.
"I knew I wanted to go to a bigger academic school, and when I got admitted to Northwestern I had talked to the coaches over the summer," said Stolley. "They didn't have a spot for me, but they really liked what they saw and they just told me to come back next fall."
Without a spot on the varsity roster, Stolley was told he needed to play on the club team his freshman year while the varsity team monitored his progress.
After a year's wait, he was able to join the varsity program as a sophomore. Lighting quick, Stolley became a contributor and pitched 17.0 innings in 10 appearances all out of the Wildcats bullpen in 2014.
In 2015, his role expanded to that of the team's closer. He led Northwestern with a 2.98 ERA, seven saves, and 29 appearances. From a player once trying to shoulder his way through to the team's roster, Stolley is now someone the Wildcats cannot compete without.
"My sophomore year I had to ramp back up because with the club team there wasn't as much work," said Stolley of his transition. "And then this past year I got a lot of work because we needed arms. I just got a lot of work out of the 'pen and it worked out very well."
The Bullfrogs really are not the same either without the tall left-hander. A returner from the 2014 team, Stolley's 1.01 ERA in 26IP is the reason why he has been the Bullfrogs' primary 8th inning set up man. Over his past 12 1/3IP, Stolley has surrendered just one run.
"I had a decent school season coming up here just trying to get a lot of work this summer," said Stolley. "Coming out of the bullpen I just need to fill the zone and let the defense work."
He has taken Pitching Coach Luke Prihoda's, chief advice: throw strikes. On a team riddled by walks up and down the pitching column, Stolley has walked just six the whole season. Stolley is a calming presence even in patches without much bullpen stability.
And even though paramount success has enriched his summer, Stolley still feels he has more work to do.
"I want to add a slider to my repertoire," said Stolley. "And I want to work on being comfortable in [lock down] situations especially toward the end of games. This coming school year, I'm going to be a senior pitcher and I know I'm going to be in those types of [close game] situations a lot."
Single game tickets are on sale now. Visit www.greenbaybullfrogs.com to purchase tickets. The Bullfrogs' business hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Images from this story
 Green Bay Bullfrogs Pitcher Jake Stolley |
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