Most young athletes take the time to thank their parents for the things they do for them. But for Lemont senior Natalie Pacyga, it goes a little deeper.
The Western Illinois recruit has a tattoo on her right arm that says, simply, 1975.
The reason?
“That was both of my parents’ birth year,” Pacyga said. “My parents just mean so much to me. They have done so much for me. I just wanted to honor them in some way.
“The only reason I get tattoos is for memorable reasons. And my parents are obviously pretty special to me.”
As she has all season, Pacyga left an indelible mark Wednesday for host Lemont in a 14-2 victory in five innings over Oak Lawn in a South Suburban Conference crossover game.
Pacyga reached base three times and scored three runs for Lemont (25-8, 18-1 SSC Blue). Jessica Pontrelli and Claire Podrebarac each hit homers, while Podrebarac also stuck out four in pitching the win.
Clark Zylius drove in a run for Oak Lawn (18-13, 9-10 SSC Red), with Teagan Krzystof and Kamya Feigl adding doubles.
The salute to mom and dad isn’t the only tattoo that Pacyga relishes.
“I have my grandma’s signature of ‘love,’” she said. “She passed away about three years ago. The other one is ‘carpe diem,’ which is to seize the day. I got it with my whole family.
“We all got tattoos, so it was kind of cool.”
As a senior, Pacyga is seizing those moments in a huge way.
Playing primarily at third base, she’s hitting .526 with 20 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 52 RBIs. She has struck out just once in 99 plate appearances. She’s been a rock at a tough position, making only three errors.
Her hitting, though, has been getting the most attention. Pacyga had a good season as a junior, but .304 isn’t quite as eye-opening as .526.
That’s more than a 200-point improvement.
“I’ve been working a lot with my travel coach,” Pacyga said. “We do lessons one or two times per week. I’m just trying to play loose and have fun since it is my last year at Lemont.
“I’m just trying to help the team any way I can.”
Lemont coach Christine Traina bats Pacyga in the No. 3 slot, and it has paid off handsomely.
“You know, last season she was thinking about college and all of that,” Traina said. “This season, there is less stress. I think she kind of looked at herself and said, ‘Just come in and play relaxed.’
“That’s what she has been doing. And as a senior leader, it’s obvious in her work ethic and how she carries herself. She cheers on her teammates, and just overall, she is there for everyone.”
Pontrelli, a sophomore shortstop, can tell a story about that.
“Last season, being the only freshman on the varsity with 10 seniors, I was a bit shy,” Pontrelli said. “They had all been together for so long, it was a little harder to connect with them, I guess.
“Playing with Natalie made me feel comfortable. And having played with her last year made it easier to bond this season. I think I’m a better player because of it.”
Pacyga has been there and done that, playing as a freshman on the varsity. In 2022, she hit .427 and helped lead Lemont to a state title.
She not only contributed with her bat in the Class 3A semifinal game, she also lent an extra pair of softball pants to teammate Raegan Duncan, who drove in the winning run.
“Oh, my gosh, I remember that,” Pacyga said, laughing. “It kind of just happened. It was pretty memorable, and it’s kind of funny. It must have been a lucky pair.”
Another state title followed in 2023, along with a supersectional appearance in 2024. Wednesday’s win gave Pacyga four conference titles to celebrate.
“We have come a long way,” Pacyga said. “All of us have.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
