Nolan
Earley

Verbally committed to Southwestern Illinois JC.

Presenting a physical 6-foot, 205-pound frame, the uncommitted right hander guided the Tigers to their 5-4 win Friday afternoon. The outing was smooth as Earley (St. Joseph-Ogden, 2025) went five innings, striking out six and walking one. He was a fast mover, using a ¾ arm slot from a short arm delivery, bent upper half throughout the finish, and a repeatable motion from the windup and stretch. Fastball sat from 83-85 mph with carry, topping at 86; backed by a 2/8 curveball used as an out pitch versus righties sitting from 72-74 mph, and an occasional changeup sitting from 74-75 mph. All of which avoided solid contact and were effective.

Uncommitted. Started on the mound and batted third. Earley’s fastball sat 80-84 mph, topping out at 85 mph with slight arm-side run. Mostly threw his fastball in this outing and attacked hitters early with the pitch, filling up the zone and making for a quick first inning. He showed a curveball with 11/5 shape at 68-69 mph. At the plate he went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. He has a simple right-handed swing with a direct, flat path through the zone. An uncommitted name-to-know.

Uncommitted. Strong-bodied junior that started on the mound for the Spartans in a win over Columbia, striking out four over 3 ⅓ innings of work. Starts on the first base side of the rubber. Side step rock into a drop/drive lower half pattern, level front side, glove arm tucks. Front shoulders tilt towards first base side at times. Works across his body some, gets out over his front knee through release. Short and compact arm action, high ¾ finish. Fastball played with sink and cut, sat in the low-80s, touching 86 mph early. Flashed some feel to land a gradual breaking ball for strikes at 69-71 mph.