Sophomore first baseman Abby Zawadzki needed a fresh perspective for St. Charles North.
Zawadzki was struggling with her swing — stuck in a seemingly endless loop of frustration.
”I asked my teammates for advice,” Zawadzki said. “They told me to play loose and have fun out there. When my time came, I had it in my mind that (Monday afternoon) was beautiful.
“And I just wanted it to be happy.”
A happy-as-can-be Zawadzki brought in the first three runs with a hard single for the North Stars, who rolled to a 4-0 win over Whitney Young in the Class 4A St. Charles North Supersectional
Junior pitcher Paige Murray struck out 14 and allowed only a walk in throwing a no-hitter for the North Stars (24-6), who play in the state semifinals at 5:30 p.m. Friday against Oswego (28-9).
Murray (17-5) was one of the mains reasons why for St. Charles North, which will be seeking its second state title in the past three years at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
Freshman infielder Julianna Kouba also added an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning.
But with two runners on in the bottom of the fourth, it was Zawadzki who blasted a big line drive for a single that then skipped under the glove of Whitney Young’s center fielder for a three-base error.
Zawadzki was the final runner to cross the plate in securing the 3-0 lead.
“I just had so much faith in Abby in that situation,” Murray said. “It was the play that really turned the game for us.”
Likewise, Zawadzki was keen to support Murray’s extraordinary effort in the circle.
“Paige was pitching a great game,” Zawadzki said. “I had to do it for her.
“I’m just trying to step up for whatever is needed. If we need power, I can give that. If we need a bunt or walk, I can also do that.”
The 6-foot Zawadzki plays forward and center in basketball for the North Stars. She has ideal size and length.
”She just needs to relax,” St. Charles North coach Tom Poulin said. “She can really hit the ball. She might have gone through a little bit of a funk where she was trying to do too much up there.
“She’s one of the most powerful hitters we’ve ever had here. Defensively, she gets to every ball at first base, snagging and scooping.”
Zawadzki, who’s hitting .301 with a team-best 27 RBIs, has made the leap from being a situational player as a freshman last season to among the featured performers this spring.
She had to learn to navigate the inevitable peaks and valleys.
“My philosophy is pretty direct — just go out, give 100% every time and leave it all on the field,” she said. ”Last year, my role was about being the best teammate and cheering everybody on.
“Now, I’m stepping up when it’s needed.”
Kouba, who played third base, is one of several freshman starters who talked to Zawadzki before the game.
“I told her it’s all for fun,” Kouba said. “This is probably one of the best experiences you are ever going to get.
“Abby always has great energy that just brings up somebody. She was on varsity last year as a freshman, and I look up to her. She has a great attitude up at the plate and out in the field.”
At this point, Zawadzki hopes history repeats itself. She was in eighth grade two years ago when the North Stars defeated the Dolphins in the supersectional.
That paved the way for the program’s first state championship.
“I started playing when I was about 8, and my favorite part about the game is just competing,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what it is, school or sports, you always have to compete in life.
“I do fight for everything.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
