Using only one game as the measure, junior pitcher Jessi Szafoni might be the next best thing to an insurance policy this season for Lincoln-Way East.
Szafoni possesses a multitude of pitches she can use to squelch a rally, but she also can get a clutch hit when she needs to.
And when she does both? Opponents may want to start warming up the bus early.
“We have a funny theory in my family that I started pitching because in T-ball I wanted to stand by my mom, who was a coach on the mound,” Szafoni said with a laugh. “I’ve always had a passion for pitching.
“I think it’s just the intensity and how you can sway the game and take leadership.”
Szafoni swayed Tuesday’s nonconference game in a relief role for the Griffins during a 7-3 victory over host St. Laurence in a season opener at MacArthur Park in Burbank.
With a fastball estimated at 60 mph by junior catcher Kelsey Schroeder, along with a curveball, screwball and the occasional change-up, Szafoni shut the door in the sixth and seventh innings.
She gave up one hit and one walk in those two innings, but induced five outs on the ground for Lincoln-Way East (1-0). Before all that, however, she entered the game as a pinch hitter in the top of the sixth and promptly lined a single that drove in two runs that created the final score.
Not bad for her first true varsity outing. Szafoni was brought up for the Class 4A playoffs last season, but her impact should be far greater now, according to coach Elizabeth Hyland.
“This year, it just clicked that she needed to be with us,” Hyland said. “From the beginning, we knew throughout tryouts she was on our radar and we would be more than likely taking her.”
Lincoln-Way East also got plenty of offense from sophomore third baseman Cassidy Jagielski, who had two singles, a double, a run and a pair of RBIs. Center fielder Mackenzie Bacha, another sophomore, added two hits and two runs.
St. Laurence (0-1) was led by sophomore first baseman Vanessa Kates with two singles, two walks and two RBIs. Sophomore pitcher Madison Misch struck out 10 and stranded eight.
For a good perspective on what Szafoni was up to Tuesday, look no further than Schroeder, a Maryville recruit who also played in her first varsity game.
“There was a lot of spin, a lot of velocity,” she said. “Curve, screw, a lot of pitches with movement.”
Szafoni gives a lot of credit to Madeline Hickey, a senior pitcher last season, for putting her in a position to succeed.
“She really helped me transition into that varsity position,” Szafoni said. “I’m really grateful for how she helped me with that and just being my mentor.
“She helped me just by getting acquainted with the team and learning how to take that leadership role. I definitely learned that from her.”
As a junior and a pitcher, Szafoni feels leadership is going to be an important part of her game this season. How does she plan on doing that?
“I think it’s best to lead by example,” she said. “My 13U coach used to tell me that all the time.
“Just by rallying everyone together and showing that you’re putting your best foot out there, the team will follow you and do their best as well.”
Hyland said Szafoni has all the tools to become a standout for the Griffins — and not just in the circle.
“She can bring a bat to the box and she can actually play defense at short or third,” Hyland said. “She’s multidimensional.”
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
