NORMAL — Steve Heilenbach’s fastball made him a highly recruited pitcher out of LaGrange Lyons Township High School.
“I threw pretty hard,” he said. “I blew it by guys.”
The Illinois State right-hander isn’t throwing as hard these days, partly out of design and partly out of the success it produced.
“Over the years I’ve learned to pitch and not just throw,” said Heilenbach. “I just use my movement, try to hit my spots and let my defense do the work most of the time.”
That less-is-more approach has vaulted Heilenbach to the head of the Redbird starting rotation.