By Jim Hague
Observer Sports Writer
After enjoying a bit of a breakthrough season last year as a sophomore, Lyndhurst High School junior right-hander Nolan Kelly was looking for even more success this season.
“I think that Coach (Butch) Servideo was expecting me to be the ace this year,” Kelly said. “I was hoping that I could do a good job.”
Kelly didn’t let last year’s success go to his head, as he worked diligently in the offseason to improve.
“I did a lot of lifting to get bigger and stronger,” said Kelly, who physically grew about three inches since last year.
Kelly also sought outside help.
“I went to pitching lessons once a week,” said Kelly, who was mentored by former Rutherford High School standout and former New York Mets farmhand Jim Wladyka. “That definitely helped me a lot, working on mechanics. It was definitely keeping me on track.”
So the expectations were there before the season began.
However, no one could have ever imagined how much of a workhorse Kelly would become, both as a starter and a relief pitcher.
“I was hoping he could become our ace,” Servideo said. “We had other pitchers, but Nolan had the most experience. We had a couple of arms coming up from the JV (junior varsity), but I was counting on Nolan.”
As the season moved on, Kelly found a different role, starting some games, relieving in others.
“I was feeling pretty confident,” Kelly said. “But I still had to work hard. I also counted on my defense behind me to make plays.”
“Nolan’s fastball improved by about 5 or 6 miles per hour,” Servideo said. “I also noticed that if I gave him five days rest, he wasn’t as sharp. So I decided to use him in relief in the games where he didn’t start.”
The move turned out to be a stroke of genius, as Kelly has proven to be an ace as a starter and as a closer – sort of like CC Sabathia and Mariano Rivera all rolled into one.
Kelly started off the season with a four-hit shutout win over Harrison, going the distance. His second start against Leonia came with the full rest and Servideo noticed that Kelly wasn’t the same.
“He got the win, but he just wasn’t sharp,” Servideo said.
Then came Kelly’s week to remember.
Kelly came in relief in the Golden Bears’ game against Park Ridge at Cal Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Md., pitching the final three scoreless innings in a 5-3 Lyndhurst win, earning the save.
Two days later against Secaucus, it was more of the same. Kelly came into the game in the sixth inning with two runners on and pitched the final 1 2/3 innings to secure the Golden Bears’ win, earning another save.
On Thursday, there were more late-inning heroics for Kelly. He came in and got the final out in a 6-4 win over New Milford with the tying runs on base, securing his third save in four days.
A day later, Kelly went the distance on a fourhitter against Wood- Ridge, striking out five and allowing no earned runs in a 6-1 Lyndhurst win.
For the week, Kelly had three saves and a win, pitching 13 1/3 scoreless innings.
For the season, Kelly now has a 4-0 record with four saves, quite a rarity in high school baseball.
For his efforts, Kelly has been selected as The Observer Athlete of the Week for the past week.
“I never figured he would become this much of a workhorse,” Servideo said. “He’s done very well.”
Kelly thanks his coach for the chance to do both jobs.
“Coach Servideo has treated me well throughout high school,” Kelly said. “It’s good to know that he has confidence in me and gives me the ball. I still look at myself as being a starter, but it’s definitely cool to get the saves like that, especially all in one week. I’m able to do whatever Coach Servideo wants me to do. It really wasn’t a lot of work. My teammates have really been helping me out, giving me support, playing good defense.”
What’s also amazing about Kelly’s performance is that he suffers from Tourette syndrome, the neuropsychiatric disorder that produces physical tics or sudden vocal outbursts.
“I think it’s been better lately,” Kelly said. “I think when I’m focused on something or doing a physical activity, the tics decrease.”
Kelly said that he’s also taking less prescriptive medicine than he did in the past.
“It’s under control,” Servideo said. “It’s not as predominant as it was last year. I might hear him from time to time, but on the mound, he’s just focused right in.” Servideo said that Kelly throws the fastball, curveball and changeup for strikes.
“When he’s on, that change is his best pitch,” Servideo said. “I know one thing’s for sure. I’m not going to give him five days rest anymore. He pitches better without the long rest.”
Servideo, who is retiring as head coach at the end of this season, believes Kelly has a very bright future.
“You know that he works hard and you know he’s only going to get bigger and stronger,” Servideo said. “He’s a great kid, a good student. I think without a doubt he’s going to be a lot better next year and he’s going to be a good college pitcher. He works very hard and has tremendous focus.”
Kelly hopes that he can pitch on the collegiate level.
“I just hope that I can continue and baseball can help me with my college choice,” Kelly said. “I wouldn’t mind playing in college. I’m pretty pleased with the way things are going right now.”
As both a starter and a closer. It’s not bad to handle both roles if you can.
