After not playing much as a freshman, Tinley Park’s Emily Korduplewski needed to talk.
That led to some heart-to-heart conversations with coach Annalisse Scott about what the emerging pitcher’s sophomore softball season would look like for the Titans.
Korduplewski returned to the fold last spring for Tinley Park as a completely different player, according to Scott, and that has carried over to this season for the junior right-hander.
“Freshman year is hard for a lot of players,” Scott said. “We had some difficult conversations about what kind of player she wants to be. She takes in everything because she wants to get better.
“This year, she’s totally confident and in control on the mound.”
Korduplewski has been a bright spot in the circle this spring for Tinley Park (15-7), which is 12-3 in conference. She has a 6-4 record, totaling 51 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings with a 3.86 ERA.
Admittedly, freshman year was a transitional season for Korduplewski. She was back in person after being out due to the pandemic and she was still getting used to a new life in high school.
So, what happened before that sophomore season that helped her turn the corner?
“I locked in and focused on the small things,” she said. “Once I focused on those, everything started getting better. Everything just clicked. I felt I had more confidence.”
When she talks about the little things, it’s not just pitching mechanics. Sure, it’s good to throw fast, but it’s more important to hit your spots and be, as Scott’s called it, “disruptive.”
Another big part was realizing the defense is there for a reason, and she can have confidence they will make the plays. And that has been the key word for Korduplewski.
Confidence.
“Last year’s confidence transitioned into this season,” Korduplewski said. “It’s knowing you have your teammates with you. If you have a bad game, you know it will be better.
“Confidence will get you through those hard spots.”
At the same time, Korduplewski is started to pay forward what she learned on the varsity as a freshman to a teammate Aubry Haack, a freshman pitcher.
Tinley Park’s Emily Korduplewski (16) delivers a pitch against Richards during a South Suburban Conference crossover game in Oak Lawn on Thursday, May 11, 2023. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
The season started a bit bumpy for Haack, who reminded Korduplewski a lot of her experience, in that she was new to varsity and didn’t want to make a mistake.
“Knowing how she was feeling, I took her under my wing and helped her understand she is talented,” Korduplewski said. “She seems more confident and relaxed on the mound.
“It’s amazing how a little bit of confidence can take you a long way.”
Haack is grateful for the time Korduplewski put in to help her.
“She taught me not to be afraid of everybody, not to doubt myself when pitching and stay positive,” Haack said. “She told me to just be who I am because I was good enough to make varsity.”
That has allowed Haack to make better decisions instead of overanalyzing everything.
An important takeaway from Korduplewski was to not doubt her abilities. She isn’t anymore, and neither is Korduplewski, which bodes well for the Titans heading into the playoffs.
In the past, Korduplewski was involved in travel softball and cheerleading. And when she says travel, she means it, constantly on the road to this competition or that game during the summer.
It meant missing one sport for the other.
And not only that. After her freshman year, she got a job as a lifeguard, further complicating things. It wasn’t all bad. She certainly learned a lot about responsibility and managing time.
But this school year, Korduplewski decided to focus on softball exclusively. Her goal is to play at a local college for one simple reason.
“The best part would be my parents could come and see my games,” she said. “I’ve been playing since I was 5 and they haven’t missed a game.”
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
