She doesn’t walk like one and she doesn’t talk like one.
But Olivia Perez, her Argo teammate and longtime bestie, said that senior shortstop Jozlynn Pacheco is the epitome of her nickname.
“We all call her a ‘Bot’ as in Robot,” Perez said. “She’s, like, not real.”
Not real, how?
“I mean, have you seen the plays she makes?” Perez said. “She is just an awesome player. And she’s funny. She makes everyone laugh. She just brings a lot of energy to this team.”
The energy was certainly there Thursday. The Argonauts continued one of their best seasons with an 11-1 five-inning win over Bremen in a South Suburban Conference crossover game in Summit.
Perez picked up three hits and two RBIs for Argo (18-6, 12-5 SSC Red). Peyton Lupo added two hits and three RBIs, while Abigail Grenier also had two hits. Perez and Emilia Green combined for the pitching win.
Brooke Gluszek delivered an RBI double for Bremen (9-15, 6-10 SSC Blue).
With their 18th win, the Argonauts tied the program record set in 2017. Pacheco, a Lewis recruit, and Perez, a Wisconsin-Whitewater commit, have been main factors in getting them there.
“I have to say I give my faith to God,” Pacheco said. “He has definitely helped me grow since freshman year. My goal, and Liv’s goal, was to make Argo different and show Argo can be good.
“I’m just really proud of me and her for having shown what Argo can be.”
Argonauts coach Russ Nowak has his own definition for Pacheco.
“She has been a rock for us the past four seasons,” Nowak said of Pacheco. “But they are really right with ‘Joz’ being a bot. She is very regimented, does everything the same.
“And that’s a testament to the success she has had here as a player.”
Aside from those “not real” plays at short, Pacheco is among the area hitting leaders with a .471 average. That includes six doubles, nine triples, one home run and 28 RBIs.
Even more impressively, she has yet to strike out this season. In 2024, it only happened once.
“Honestly, I like to think of myself as unique,” Pacheco said. “I can hit some home runs, but usually, I just get on base. I love running. I love stealing. I love getting singles and doubles.
“It’s something I’m good at. When I get up to the plate, I honestly just try to hit the ball. I try to keep it simple and stupid. I feel I can roll with it more, with less pressure on myself.”
Perez has struck out 139 in 98 2/3 innings. The senior right-hander also is running right with Pacheco at the top of the list on offense for Argo, batting .447 with five doubles, three triples, two homers and 27 RBIs.
Pacheco and Perez bat second and third, respectively, in the order. They have been that close as friends and softball teammates since early in grammar school.
“Me and Jozlynn, we started softball together at Bedford Park West,” Perez said. “Our first year in softball we were together and now this is our last.
“When we were in eighth grade, we always had that private school (option) in the back of our minds. We were looking (at Argo) as a program that wasn’t necessarily as good as we wanted. But we decided, ‘Why not come here with our childhood friends and see what we can do with it?’”
Over the past three seasons, Argo has combined for an impressive 45-32 record. It’s the best three-year stretch that can be found in program history.
“I’m so proud of each and every one of our girls,” Pacheco said. “They work so hard and pick themselves up even after their mistakes. And I’m just so proud of the leadership Liv and I have shown on the field.
“I’m so glad I stayed here to make a difference and show everyone a program that’s not really known can be known if you work hard.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
