Schuckman: Unshaken confidence allows Hammel to rejoin QU rotation with bulldogged effort

QUINCY — Doubt comes when confidence wanes.

Everything Jay Hammel experienced in the first six weeks of the Quincy University baseball team’s season could have created doubt in himself, his ability to contribute on a nationally ranked team, and his decision to return for a final year of eligibility.

Never once has he doubted any of it. Having complete confidence in himself is why.

Unwavering confidence from his teammates only heightened that.

Back in the starting rotation after being relegated to bullpen duty the previous two series, Hammel pitched Sunday like it’s where he belonged. He struck out five over five innings, gave up three runs and worked out of a couple of jams to earn the win in the 20-7 victory over Truman State at QU Stadium.

More than anything, he pitched with purpose.

“That’s the most important thing, just having confidence,” Hammel said. “That will help me long term for the postseason and whatever lies ahead.”

The way his first three starts unfolded, his place in the postseason rotation became suspect.

A right-hander who returned as a graduate student to use his final year of eligibility, Hammel lasted just 1⅔ innings in his season debut at Tampa, allowing five runs and five hits without a strikeout. Against Rollins, he made it just 1⅓ innings before being pulled after giving up six runs and seven hits with one strikeout.

Those were a shocking contrast to the way he pitched during the 2022 season when he finished 9-2, lasted at least four innings in every start and led the QU pitching staff with 87 strikeouts in 88 innings.

When he struggled again against Northwood, allowing five runs and five hits over 3 ⅔ innings, the QU coaching staff sent him to the bullpen. It’s there he regained his trust in himself, his pitches and his preparation.

A scoreless two-inning stint in relief against Augustana followed. Then came a four-inning relief appearance against Missouri S&T where he allowed three runs and four hits, but the damage came after he retired nine of the first 12 batters he faced.

Next came a return to the rotation, a moment Hammel seized control of and didn’t let anything cause him to waver.

His teammates refused to let him waver as well.

“It’s the people,” Hammel said. “The people played a big part in me coming back. It’s hearing their confidence in me which gives me more confidence out there.”

That confidence will grow now that he’s experienced success and pitched like the bulldogged competitor everyone knows him to be. It suggests better days are ahead, and because of his sticktoitiveness and perseverance, Hammel deserves it.