JWCC Prairie State Profile: Eagles’ Deege plays vital role in helping younger teammates grow

LIBERTY, Ill. — Landon Deege understands the reality the Liberty baseball team is facing.

“We’re young, but we’re growing,” the senior said.

With that comes the ups and downs of inexperience.

The Eagles have won one game to date — a 1-0 victory over Illini West in which Jackson Sims struck out eight over five innings and Deege threw two scoreless innings of relief for the save — but have been competitive against Class 1A competition.

“I can see the improvement every day,” said Deege, the starting center fielder and a left-handed hurler. “Everyone is growing.”

That includes him. With the Eagles leading the Chargers by a run after he singled and scored in the fourth inning, Deege struck out four over the final two innings to preserve the victory.

“We wanted to win that game, so (Liberty coach Travis Ruppel) said let’s throw our arms out there,” Deege said.

There’s no place Deege would rather be. He’s thrown six innings so far with one earned run allowed and nine strikeouts. He and Sims both have fashioned a 1.17 ERA, and Deege likely will get the ball in some of the Eagles more important West Central Conference matchups as the season progresses.

As long as he’s on the field, he’s happy.

“Pitching and outfield, that’s what I love to do,” Deege said.

The southpaw recently discussed his role as a leader, his love of the game and his desire to play college baseball with Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman for this week’s Prairie State Profile, brought to you by John Wood Community College.

Q: How much does that put a priority on you to be a leader?

A: It put pressure on me at the start because I want to be that guy to lead this team. I have to realize it’s baseball and it’s not a one-man show. I have to take what I can get and lead these freshmen and sophomores so they can grow, too. I enjoy that part. That’s what gives me motivation, to see these guys grow, too.

Q: How do you lead those young kids?

A: In practice, I can tell when they need help with something, and if Coach is busy, I can talk to them. I like telling them about my experiences. I can see myself in some of them. I’m not the biggest kid and we’re not the biggest team. I love talking to them about that. (Against Illini West), we had some freshmen come in who had never pitched in a varsity game. That’s a tough task. I wanted to keep their heads up high because that’s a tough job. It puts a burden on you. It’s nice to see them grow, and I love helping them.

Q: Do you remember what it was like to be in their shoes?

A: Starting out, I was nervous. I was quiet. Going from junior high to high school, it’s easier at a smaller school like Liberty, but there’s still some growing pains in there. I see a lot of myself in them, so it’s nice to be able to use that experience to help them out.

Q: Do you remember any advice or anything someone did for you back then that you can use now?

A: Some of the seniors my sophomore year — guys like Hayden Spilker, Karson Kasparie, Ryan Hedrick — they talked to me a lot. They gave me tips. They talked to me about their experiences, just like I’m trying to do now. One of the most important things I took from Hayden Spilker was he was a hard thrower, but he came up to me when he saw me in a bullpen and said, “Don’t focus on your velo. We need strikes.” That’s what I’ve kind of worked towards. It’s not how hard you throw. Throw strikes and let your defense work. That’s baseball.

Q: If you can’t find the zone, you’re in trouble, right?

A: You can’t defend walks. You really can’t defend walks.

Q: What do you like about the game when you’re on the mound?

A: I love having the game in my hands. That’s fun for me. I love being up there and being a competitor. Being competitive is probably my favorite thing to be. I love pitching to my catcher (Will Maas). I’ve been throwing to him for 10-plus years. I love the battery we have. It’s a lot of fun. He’s been with me since Day 1. It’s definitely nice to have.

Q: Because you’ve been batterymates for so long, do you shake him off very often?

A: See, I try not to, but it really depends on how I’m feeling. One time, he gave me an 0-2 changeup high. I was like, “No.” I shook him off for a slider, and I spiked it. He hated it. He was not happy. There are moments where I do shake him off, and he understands it. We always talk afterward, and that’s the cool part, too. We can talk through those situations.

Q: It has to be comforting to go out on the mound and the guy back there knows what you can throw and will get in front of anything you throw in the dirt, right?

A: Oh, yeah. He’s a wall for me, and I love that. I know every pitch is not going to be a strike, so that’s nice to have back there.

Q: How would you describe yourself as a pitcher?

A: I want to say like a workhorse. I will fight through adversity. I’m not going to go out there — I’ve taught myself this and learned — and strike out 12 guys every game. I’m a ground ball pitcher. I let my defense work. If I get in a tough situation, I think I can get through it. I have that mental side of the game. That helps me a lot. If I leave runners on, walking off the mound when I do that, it just feels great. It boosts your confidence.

Q: Are you competitive in everything?

A: Yeah, and sometimes I’ve been told a little too much. I have two younger siblings at the house, and Mom tells me I have to take it easy sometimes. My brother (13 years old in eighth grade) is catching up to me in some things, so now I’m a little bit more competitive with him. We battle it out, too. He’s getting that competitive side of him.

Q: That’s natural for brothers.

A: When he was younger — I still bad about this sometimes — I look back and I think it didn’t hurt him that much that I beat him. We both grow from it as well.

Q: But you’re there for each other in every instance as well, right?

A: He’s played more sports than me so far — cross country, track, basketball and baseball. I try to help him in everything. I know I didn’t run, but I can still help him because there are mental things that go into it. I love helping him with baseball. I love to see him grow. He gives me a hard time sometimes when he gets a hit and he will be like, “You didn’t do that last game.” I’m just like, “Thanks.” But I’ll get to watch him throughout high school, which will be great.

Q: Do you know where you’re going to be next year?

A: I don’t know yet. I want to play college baseball. I really do. It’s definitely a process. It’s a tough process. I know I’m capable. I have to put my work ethic out there. I know my strengths and my weaknesses. I have wonderful parents to help me through it. I have great coaches who are putting the time in to help me improve. That’s so nice to have. 

Q: The support from your parents no matter what the college plans are is critical.

A: My mom (Sarah Budde Deege) played soccer at Quincy and she said the process has definitely changed. She said the coaches would come to you, and now it seems like you have to go out there and show yourself. Both of my parents are Quincy High School graduates, and my mom played soccer all four years (and was part of the 1999 team that is in the QHS Hall of Fame after taking third at the state tournament). None of us got the soccer gene, but she’s definitely there for all of our sports. Her and my dad have helped me out a lot. I can’t thank them enough for that.

Q: So what do you like to do besides baseball?

Q: Typical stuff. I like to hang out with friends. I like to fish. Nothing too extravagant. I’m not one who goes out there and does some crazy stuff.

Q: It hasn’t been great fishing weather, but it hasn’t been great fishing weather either, has it?

A: We’ve gotten some decent days in, but we need one of those nice 65-degree sunny days.

Q: I know you won’t want to give away any secrets, but do you have a favorite fishing hole?

A: Oooh, I don’t know if I can give it away.

Q: I’m not asking you to give it away.

A: I used to go with my grandpa to one of his best friend’s ponds. That was the spot. I caught my biggest crappie there. Those are memories there. I don’t go fishing as much as I used to. Baseball and school and work takes up a lot of time, but it’s definitely something I like to do in my free time. Hanging out with friends is something I love. Even with baseball, we have a group of guys on Saturdays that go out for breakfast.

Q: If you’re going out for breakfast, where are you going?

A: Village Inn. That’s the breakfast spot. We kind of made this up a few weeks ago and we’ve been sticking to it. It’s nice.

Q: You mentioned fishing with your grandpa, how much do those memories mean to you?

A: I’ve learned so much from both of my grandpas and my dad. Spending time with them is great because I learn so much, but I have fun with them. That’s quality time and memories you’ll cherish forever. Anytime I get to be with them it’s awesome. You won’t be able to have that forever. Cherish those moments.

Q: Are you at your happiest when you’re on a baseball field?

A: There are times I might not be as happy, but when I get home from games or practices, I’m like, “Man, I wish I was still out there.” Just being with the guys, competing, it’s the best. Sometimes it gets a little lonely in the outfield, but that’s part of it. I try to keep myself entertained. I’m usually pretty vocal. I don’t know if everybody can hear me, but I’m usually yelling. I’m trying to coordinate other guys. I’m definitely at my happiest on the baseball field, especially on the mound. That’s my favorite part.