Seeing success: Richwoods pitcher embraces goggles, ace role
Richwoods senior pitcher Jarek Quinn, sporting Joe Kelly-style goggles, is ready to lead his team this season.
PEORIA — Wearing sports goggles doesn’t bother Jarek Quinn one bit. Two-time World Series winner and recently retired relief pitcher Joe Kelly made donning the custom glasses popular. So, the prescription eyewear has grown on Quinn.
“A lot of people like them,” the Richwoods senior said. “I love them. ” Soon opposing hitters will be seeing what Quinn can bring as the Knights staff ace.
He’ll take the mound Thursday in a nonconference meeting with East Peoria as part of a six-game homestand. Quinn has already faced Dunlap and will likely throw against Morton on April 2. “That’ll only help him and his confidence at the end of the year,” Richwoods coach Patrick Hogan said of his 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-hander facing tough teams early in the season.
“… He knows that he’s going to have faced the best competition all year long and so that’ll hopefully give him confidence to get those guys out come the end of May. ” The postseason is where Quinn, who plays shortstop when not pitching, is looking to shine. He experienced Richwoods’ run to the Class 3A Sweet Sixteen, cheering the Knights from the bench as a freshman.