Highland junior pitcher Skylar Zoeteman knows she needs to be heard this season.
Even if that’s not typical for her.
“I’m not very vocal,” Zoeteman said. “I’ve always been quiet. But I know I’m a leader now. So once we start playing, I might be doing a little more yelling on the field.”
Zoeteman’s commitment to being louder on the field is one of the steps she’s taking while moving into her new role as the Trojans’ ace.
Zoeteman has had plenty of experience in her career, posting a 4-3 record and 1.25 ERA in 44 2/3 innings last season after going 5-3 with a 4.57 ERA in 64 1/3 innings as a freshman. During both of those seasons, Mia Rivera was the No. 1 pitcher, however, with Zoeteman as the secondary option. Rivera graduated last year, opening the door for Zoeteman to grab the top spot.
Highland coach Harry Humyak said he noticed a change in Zoeteman as soon as the team started practicing in January.
“It’s hard to quantify, but she’s more aggressive right now — and more determined,” Humyak said. “I can see that in her play and in her style of leadership. This is also her first year as a captain. All of that combined has given more of a mentality of ‘we’re doing this.’”
There was plenty of work done by Zoeteman in the offseason to improve her skills too. Hitting lessons were typically on Mondays followed by pitching lessons on Tuesdays, mixed in with a steady stream of practices and games with her travel team.
Junior catcher Erica Phillips said she has already noticed that everything Zoeteman throws has an extra gear.
“She’s definitely grown as a pitcher,” Phillips said. “The ball is moving a lot more, the glove is popping more and she’s becoming more consistent with her pitches.”
Phillips said Zoeteman also seems determined to make the most of each repetition.
“She’s been more focused in, more locked in,” Phillips said. “After a bad pitch, she always wants a redo. She’s definitely holding herself more accountable.”
Zoeteman’s maturation comes after watching Rivera and learning what it takes to be the most trusted pitcher on the team.
“It was her attitude that kept everything going,” Zoeteman said. “It’d bring everyone up or everyone down. It all depends on you.”
Zoeteman is bringing that new attitude to the plate too. She hit .310 last season — an improvement over her .250 average as a freshman — with two triples and 15 RBIs. Her main focus is power, and she said she hopes to erase one of the zeroes on her career stat line.
“I really want to hit a home run over the fence,” she said. “I’ve had them in the park, but I need one out of the park, and I’m getting there. It’s going to happen this year.”
As Zoeteman takes on more responsibility, she expressed confidence in the teammates who also are stepping into expanded roles.
“I’m just going to do my best,” she said. “I know my defense has me, and I know that we have each other offensively too. It’s going to be a good season.”
For Humyak, a “good” season isn’t a strong enough forecast.
“I expect her to perform at a high level because of all of that,” Humyak said. “She’s an incredible person, and she’s worked so hard. I expect her to have the best season yet.”
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter.
