Have bat, will travel.
Meet Oswego senior Sabrina Zamora.
It’s true that Zamora views herself first and foremost as a pitcher — the position she has played the most while growing up and plans to continue next year at Waubonsee Community College.
But she has stepped up this season by carving out yet another role on a talented and deep team.
Zamora provides valuable offensive production as the designated player for the Panthers, who are making their second straight state appearance in Class 4A.
“Every player here is pretty good, so it’s really competitive,” Zamora said. “When I’ve had my opportunities, I’ve tried my best. It doesn’t always work out the way you’d like, but the more you try, the better it works.
“That’s how I’ve found myself. I try and make every moment count.”
Despite being limited to 16 innings pitched, Zamora has done just that for the Panthers (36-2), who will play at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the state semifinals against Oak Park-River Forest (29-8) at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
“She is a pitcher, but we’re lucky enough to have five arms on our roster,” said Oswego co-coach Annie Scaramuzzi, who leans on junior right-hander Jaelynn Anthony (20-1) and senior righty Aubriella Garza (13-1) to eat up innings in the top two spots of the pitching rotation.
“Obviously, being that Jaelynn is the pitcher she is and Aubriella having the season she’s had, it’s tough to get everyone chances.”
Coming on strong in the second half of the season, Zamora has played in 25 games and carries a .413 batting average (26-for-63), which is a solid fifth on the team. Her 21 RBIs rank sixth and her nine doubles rank fourth
“It’s been kind of hard to get myself out there, but I really showed up for my bat, honestly, because I know I’m pretty good at hitting,” Zamora said. “I’ve been focusing mostly on it because that’s where I see myself here. Everyone else has their spot.”
In a five-game playoff run, Zamora is hitting .438 (7-for-16) with three doubles and four RBIs.
Last season, she worked 21 innings in the circle and provided some foreshadowing in 26 at-bats with one double, one home run and seven RBIs as Oswego’s groundbreaking team made the program’s first trip to state and finished third.
“I was just one of the people cheering on the bench last year,” Zamora said, adding that she learned a valuable lesson. “It’s important for everyone to bring the energy and be excited
“That’s what we had last year. We were close and bonded really well. You gotta trust each other.”
Paul Netzel, Oswego’s co-coach, along with assistants Tiffany Murphy and Hailey Morland, help.
“I think our coaches make it a point to make sure we all know we’re a part of it,” Zamora said. “We all make this team, it’s one through 19 or 20, whatever it is now.
“It’s everyone doing what they need to do, even in the dugout. If we’re not loud in there, it could be a problem.”
It’s not hard for Zamora, who said “softball is my passion” since she started in recreational leagues, followed by travel ball with the Oswego Outlaws.
“I remember my first time pitching pretty young in rec ball,” she said. “We really didn’t have a pitcher, so they asked me to try it. I did a great job and just fell in love with it.”
Smaller travel rosters keep everyone busy.
‘You’re used to being the best on the team and here, oh my god, everyone’s great,” Zamora said. “It’s a different environment but I love it.
“Everyone is accepting and when you get your opportunities, they’re behind you.”
