Antioch’s Claire Schuyler (44) and teammates come together after recording an out during a game at Lockport on Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Steve Johnston / News-Sun)
Antioch’s Claire Schuyler can turn to multiple family members for advice about sports.
Not that the freshman shortstop can’t be a source, too, after deftly handling a surprise promotion to the starting lineup for one of the state’s top teams.
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“I did feel a lot of pressure,” Claire Schuyler said. “But I honestly think that even if there’s pressure, staying confident and believing in yourself is a big part of the game — and also being in a supportive environment. My family has really helped me.”
Her mother, Gina, played softball at St. Norbert; her father, Doug, played football at Wisconsin-Whitewater; and her brother, TJ, is a senior catcher for Antioch and has committed to play baseball at Indiana.
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As a sibling, TJ Schuyler has more than advice for her.
“My brother told me to be myself, but if you mess up, it’s part of the game,” Claire Schuyler said. “I do love the competition between me and him. We compare our batting averages or joke about it. I tell him that I’m faster than him. He gives it back to me by saying he’s bigger.”
Antioch’s Claire Schuyler bats during a game at Lockport on Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Steve Johnston / News-Sun)
Claire Schuyler has been big for Northern Lake County Conference leader Antioch (22-1, 10-0), which is ranked No. 2 in Class 3A by the Illinois Softball Coaches Association. She’s hitting .383 with three doubles, two triples, four home runs and 26 RBIs while playing in the middle infield.
“I believe that it all starts with confidence,” TJ Schuyler said. “I can see by watching her that she has a lot of confidence for someone her age. She’s also very athletic, not only for her age but in comparison to all ages. She also has a killer instinct when she steps on the field.”
TJ Schuyler, one of the best baseball players in Lake County, thinks she’s ahead of the game by any measure.
Antioch’s TJ Schuyler looks to the bench for a sign during a game against Grayslake Central in Antioch on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Michael Schmidt / News-Sun)
“She is more physically advanced than I was as a freshman,” he said. “I also think she has the edge on the mental side of the game as a freshman.”
Gina Schuyler noted the long hours Claire has spent trying to get better.
“What does surprise me is how well she handles pressure,” Gina Schuyler said.
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That afforded Antioch coach Anthony Rocco a rare luxury after winning the 3A third-place game last year. Replacing four-year starter Gabby Debevec, who is playing at Illinois, Rocco was able to call on a freshman with confidence.
Rocco said Claire Schuyler is on the same track as Debevec.
“She’s a future Division I player,” Rocco said. “We lost one but got another one right after Gabby for the next four years. Claire works very hard and is very athletic. She’s got Division I physical numbers in terms of throwing strength and speed.”
Antioch shortstop Claire Schuyler catches a line drive during a game at Lockport on Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Steve Johnston / News-Sun)
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Under Rocco, Antioch has been churning out Division I players for a while. Yet he calls Claire Schuyler one of the best freshmen in his tenure. She’s one of four on the Sequoits this season.
“She has a certain maturity about her,” Rocco said. “She’s in a very key position on any defense at shortstop, which involves a lot of pressure. She’s just very focused and doesn’t get distracted.”
That relates to the advice Wisconsin signee Eden Echevarria offered.
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“I’ve told Claire to keep it simple, stay calm and most importantly for her to have fun,” Echevarria said.
Indeed, Claire Schuyler is having a blast.
“I’ve exceeded my goals that I made for myself,” she said. “It’s crazy that I have three more years to just have fun and be with this team and possibly win a state championship.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Advice? Claire Schuyler gets plenty. Antioch’s freshman shortstop could offer it too. ‘She’s just very focused.’
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