WESTFORD — Even from 60 feet, 6 inches, Jake Cullen is an intimidating presence, especially when he’s holding a baseball in his right hand and standing on a mound.
The Westford Academy star pitcher has a message for hitters stepping into the box.
“I’m not just working to win, I’m working to dominate,” he said emphatically while taking a break from Tuesday’s practice.
And the senior’s done plenty of that. Cullen is a major reason the Ghosts have compiled an eye-popping 38-3 record the last two seasons. Entering this year’s state tournament, Westford is 18-2 and looking to make a long run.
Before a hiccup last week in a loss to Chelmsford, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander was 4-1 with an 0.80 earned run average. In 26 innings, he had given just three earned runs on five hits – yes five – while striking out 40 batters. The loss now puts him at 4-2 with a 1.89 ERA.
In addition, he’s also batting .375 with three home runs, 19 RBI, 21 runs scored and eight stolen bases.
Over the course of his career, which included two years as the team’s closer, he’s 10-5 with six saves. As a starter, he’s 9-3 with an 1.19 ERA. In 64.2 innings, he’s given up 11 earned runs, while striking out 87 batters.
The future University of Rhode Island hurler is accomplishing these incredible statistics with a wide variety of devastating pitches. He throws a fastball between 89-93 miles per hour. His changeup is about 15 to 20 miles slower, while he’s added two pitches, a cutter and slider.
“I picked up the (cut fastball) by watching a lot of videos,” said Cullen, whose parents Bob and Tricia played soccer and lacrosse in college, while younger sister Mia is on the WA girls lacrosse team.
“I was messing around with grips and I was thinking, what if I just rip a slider? When you throw a curve and a slider, you want to put your fingers close together, fastball as well, but (when I learned the cutter), I separated my fingers just a little bit just to get on the seam and rotated the ball in my hand. Once I did that, I just ripped it and it has worked,” he said.
Cullen has played on various elite summer programs over the years. He grew up thinking he had a strong arm but really didn’t know until his freshman year, when he tried out for the WA football team.
“I started playing football when I was in the seventh grade,” he said. “I was a tight end, a linebacker and a running back. When I came to Westford Academy, coach said, ‘All of the
quarterbacks go over there’ and not one person went. I said, ‘OK, I’m going over there.’ Then the next thing I know, I’m swinging with varsity.”
In three years as the Ghosts’ starting QB, he finished with the most wins in program history with 22. This past year, he threw for 1,710 yards with 19 TD passes, while he added 980 rushing yards and eight more scores. A two-time All-Conference selection, he was also named the DCL Player of the Year and one of three Lowell Sun Players of the Year.
“Once football ended, Jake was up at that strength house in Groton and I never had to worry about him,” said WA baseball coach Mike Parent. “Some guys you hope come to camp in March in great shape but him, I don’t even have to ask him. He just works out like a demon. He does a lot of flexing and stretching drills and he just always has a plan. Everything that he has achieved is due to his hard work.”
It doesn’t stop there.
“This is a kid who takes every practice seriously. Every drill we do, he has a purpose for it. He does not know half speed. He really doesn’t. He’s always working, fixing and perfecting his trade and I’m sure he’ll do that at URI. He has unlimited potential. He loves the game, he’s passionate and he loves football, too. He just loves to play sports and to compete. His compete level is up there,” Parent said.
“The last month or so the high school seniors have been on an internship and he’s out on the field at noon time stretching and getting ready for a 2 o’clock practice. You don’t hear that too often.”
After college, Cullen isn’t sure if he’ll join the Coast Guard or become an athletic trainer.
“I have always wanted to be in the Coast Guard. I love the ocean but I also love protecting people and inspiring people. Athletic training is there because sports is my first love and I want to stick with it as long as I can,” he said.
James Albert
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