IB’s Josh Vaughn blossoms into one of the top pitchers in the state

GLASFORD, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — He might look like he was born to pitch.

And a 21-strikeout game would support that. But Josh Vaughn will tell you that hasn’t always been the case.

“I wasn’t too good when I was younger. I progressed,” Vaughn said. “Around freshman year is when I started taking pitching seriously. When I had a good season my freshman year, (pitching) has been in my head.”

Now the Illini Bluffs senior is one of the top high school pitchers in the state. The Bradley recruit started hitting 90 miles an hour with his fast ball last year.

But this season he’s consistently been throwing in the low nineties. And that’s added to his confidence on the mound.

“Confidence is high when i get the ball. I feel like I can dominate when I go out there,” said Vaughn. “Show what I can do. If you get into your head, you start throwing balls (out of the strike zone). Confidence is key.”

He confidently pitched a perfect game May 3 against Peoria Christian.

Amazingly, he struck out all 21 hitters he faced in a 1-0 win at home. He needed only 87 pitches to accomplish the feat.

“I think he’s gained two miles an hour (on his fastball) since last season,” said Illini Bluffs head coach Troy Teel. “And two miles an hour doesn’t sound like much but when you’re throwing 90 already, two miles an hour helps.”

The high school baseball postseason starts next week and Vaughn says it’s time to start meeting some goals he set at the beginning of the season.

“I want to win regionals first and see what’s after that,” Vaughn said. “A personal goal is to make All-State again.”

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