Schoenle burst onto the season as a freshman in 2014, proving to be one of the top pitchers around. His sophomore season didn’t go nearly so well, as he struggled to match his debut season.
“As a sophomore, he over-thought the process,” Northrop coach Matt Brumbaugh said. “Coming into this year, he found himself mentally. Not only was his fastball strong, but he has a tremendous curveball to off-set batters. The key is he throws them both for strikes.”
Schoenle’s junior year wasn’t perfect, but it was awfully close. He finished the season 9-1 with a 1.13 earned run average. He recorded 112 strikeouts, giving up 33 hits and 33 walks. Along the way, he helped Northrop (20-5) to an undefeated Summit Athletic Conference title and a Class 4A sectional championship. He also hit .304 and led the team in runs batted in.
For his effort, Schoenle is The News-Sentinel Baseball Player of the Year.
He was also selected recently to the American Family Insurance All-USA Indiana Baseball Team announced by USA Today.
“The biggest thing was that the eight guys behind me stepped up a lot,” Schoenle said. “I got a lot of run support every outing. The other thing would be my confidence.”
His confidence returned in the season-opener against New Haven, as he allowed only one hit in a 3-0 win over the Bulldogs. He didn’t lose a game until the Bruins were knocked out by Carmel in the regional. Carmel was held scoreless until the sixth inning before winning 3-0.
“The talent is there, and with Garrett’s mental approach equaling his talent, the payoff is in coming out and working hard, and that’s giving him some options,” Brumbaugh said.
Since the season ended, Schoenle has received scholarship offers from Indiana University, Ball State and Cincinnati. Purdue and Nebraska are also showing interest.
With a year left in his high school career, Schoenle has time to improve his stock even more. He has not set a timetable on when he’ll make a college decision.
If he comes out strong in his senior year, he might draw some interest in the Major League Baseball draft. Pro teams are always looking for tall left-handed pitchers with potential to develop. Schoenle is 6-foot-5 and 185 pounds.
“For him, you put that foot on the pedal a little bit more,” Brumbaugh said. “Where do you want to go from here with your baseball career? If he takes it to another level, you’re going to see some pro scouts around to see him next spring. I think getting the college decision out of the way will be a good thing for him, but I don’t know when he’ll make that decision.”
Schoenle has something else on his plate this coming fall: He’ll play quarterback for Northrop’s football team.
While some top baseball players give up football to avoid possible injury, Schoenle loves the game too much not to finish out his high school career.
“The biggest thing about football is it’s just fun. I love it,” Schoenle said. “Obviously, baseball is my No. 1 love, but when I got involved with football, my dad got me interested in playing quarterback. The transition from baseball to football is a different one, but you’re still going out, throwing the ball and having fun.
“I love doing everything – and winning at everything. I love to compete.”
After helping the Bruins to their first sectional baseball title since 2004, Schoenle hopes the football Bruins can make strides toward success in his final season in that sport. Northrop finished 2-8 in football last season.
“I think a lot of his confidence built during baseball season will carry over into football,” Brumbaugh said. “He knows baseball is definitely what’s going to take him to college, but he wants to play football and be around his teammates. Hopefully, they can have a successful season and get that program turned around.”
2016 News-Sentinel All-Area Baseball Team
Garrett Schoenle – Northrop (Player of the Year)
Mason Shinaberry – Bellmont
Andrew Rolfsen – Bishop Dwenger
Tyler Prince – Bishop Luers
Bailey Sheldon – Blackhawk Christian
Hayden Jones – Carroll
Riley Perlich – Carroll
Drew Buffenbarger – Churubusco
Quinton Rumsey – DeKalb
Andrew Saalfrank – Heritage
Matt Anderson – Homestead
Joey Deeter – Homestead
Brady Sheehan – Homestead
Levi Long – Norwell
Ryan Tomlin – Norwell
