Some pitchers get their biggest kicks by picking up a bat and smashing the ball off the fence.
Not Richards ace Emily Chavosky.
The sophomore right-hander will relish a complete game over a double every time.
“Throwing a game, every pitch is a new battle,” Chavosky said. “An at-bat is just a couple of pitches to remember. Every pitch, every inning, you have a lot of different battles to enjoy.”
Chavosky got to enjoy both experiences Tuesday afternoon as the Bulldogs completed a sweep with a 5-1 South Suburban Red victory over host Oak Lawn.
She was top notch in the circle, striking out eight and firing a three-hitter. Chavosky also smacked her fifth double of the season to start a three-run, fourth-inning rally.
Mia Albon starred at the plate, with two doubles and a walk for Richards (17-7, 12-4). Natalie Hajer added two hits, as did Olivia Coglianese.
Kaitlyn Berkery homered for Oak Lawn (14-12, 7-8). Kamya Feigl and Katie Casey added hits.
In 2023, Chavosky was one of the most celebrated freshmen in the Southland.
She was thrust into being the main pitcher for the Bulldogs when junior Bridget Walsh went down with an injury. Chavosky responded with a standout season in which she won 18 games and struck out 192 in 169 innings while earning all-area and all-state honors.
“My team really made it easy for me,” Chavosky said. “They included me in everything, and through them, I was able to acclimate to the higher level of play.”
Chavosky pitched the Bulldogs all the way to a Class 3A supersectional appearance.
“That was really crazy for me and my team,” Chavosky said. “I was kind of nervous going into the playoffs, playing a bunch of good teams. But everybody gave me the confidence to do as well as I did.”
Cut to 2024. Things, to say the least, are different.
For one, Walsh has returned for her senior season. Junior pitcher Christa Klonowski transferred over from St. Laurence. Another junior, Harmony Macias, made it a four-pitcher pool.
It’s a luxury and a challenge for Richards coach Julie Folliard.
“We have four pitchers that we’re looking for pitching time from,” Folliard said. “That’s been different for Emily. She’s part of a staff. And they support each other so much. They’re like sisters, which is beautiful.
“But Emily is not pitching as much as she was, so she has to find that happy medium of, ‘How do I stay sharp when I’m starting? How do I stay sharp when I’m on in relief? How do I stay sharp when I’m not pitching for a few days, and then I am, in a big game?’”
By the numbers? Chavosky has pitched half of the innings she did as a freshman. Almost all of them have come against the Bulldogs’ toughest opponents.
Chavosky has made the most of it, winning eight games and saving two others. Her 131 strikeouts in 82 innings are remarkable considering the competition.
Tuesday’s win was her second of the season over Oak Lawn. On April 22, she struck out a season-high 17 in an 8-1 victory.
If there is any anxiety about sharing a circle that was once Chavosky’s alone, classmate Albon hasn’t noticed it from her spot at third base.
Even during a few tough outings.
“Emily has handled it all very well,” Albon said. “I’ve never seen a down moment. You can never tell what the score of the game is or how many people have hit the ball. That’s great to see.”
One thing definitely hasn’t changed — Chavosky’s smile.
“Ever since she’s come here, she’s been a great ball of joy,” said Coglianese, a junior shortstop. “She’s always jumping around, always excited. Sometimes she acts like a little kid, but that makes it fun because it brings out my little kid and makes me play more loose.
“But while she’s playing loose, she can also flip a switch when she has to go out there and pitch. She is able to lock it down.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
