Prep baseball: Sykes steps into veteran role for rebuilding Barbs

SYCAMORE – On a DeKalb baseball team desperate for veteran leadership, senior Jarrett Sykes is hoping to fill that role.

Sykes was one of DeKalb’s most productive players Wednesday during a doubleheader against Sycamore at the Sycamore Park District. The Barbs and Spartans split the pair of games. Sycamore won the first game, 9-2, and DeKalb took the second, 8-3.

Sykes’ all-around performance has interim coach Jeremy Morton excited about the team’s future. Sykes pitched a complete game to earn the win in Game 2.

“I love his enthusiasm and athleticism,” Morton said. “His attitude this summer has been great.”

Batting in the No. 3 spot, Sykes crushed the first pitch he saw, a high fastball from Will Oczkowski, to the left-field fence for an RBI single.

Sykes wants to help change the culture for the DeKalb baseball program, which finished with a 9-25 record last season.

The two-sport athlete has split time this summer between DeKalb baseball and football camps, but Sykes has aspirations to play baseball in college.

He said those dreams start with having his best season as a senior for the Barbs.

“I think I can lead by example,” Sykes said. “If there’s stuff I’m not doing, the younger guys look at me as a role model, I need to make sure I’m doing all the right things.”

Sykes is hoping to make significant improvements from his 2017 season. He struggled at the plate, posting a .159 batting average. Sykes also had the second-most strikeouts (28) on the team.

However, outings such as Sykes’ during Wednesday’s doubleheader prove he is making strides in that department. He hit a combined 3 for 6 with three RBIs and a walk during the doubleheader. Sykes also made several impressive plays at shortstop. During the second inning of the first game, he tagged out Jacob Mollam, who was unsuccessful trying to juke Sykes near second base.

Sykes carried the Barbs in the second game on the mound, earning the complete-game victory. He gave up six hits, three runs and struck out seven, as the Spartans struggled to hit his curveball.

“I’ve added a lot of break to my curve,” Sykes said.

Morton said Sykes has dedicated a lot of time during the offseason to improving his swing.

“His hitting has really improved this summer,” Morton said. “When he’s patient and finds the gap, he’s a hard kid to get out, let alone strike out.”

Sykes pointed out specifically, he’s worked on getting his timing and fundamentals down inside the batters box.

He said he’s upped his practice time in the batting cage during the offseason. Sykes also has been watching a lot of baseball games, taking in every bit of information he can on different players’ swings and approaches.

“Last year, I wasn’t as focused as I could’ve been, and I didn’t see the ball too well,” he said. “I’ve been taking a lot of swings and consuming all the baseball I can. I need to hit the ball square and get my front foot down.

“I always want to improve.”

Morton said if Sykes’ upswing continues, he’ll be one of the Barbs’ top players next spring.

“I expect him to be one of our leaders next year – no doubt,” Morton said.