PEORIA — Barrington junior pitcher Katie Taraschewsky showed her perseverance numerous times during the Class 4A state tournament.
That didn’t surprise Taraschewsky’s mother, Monika, who went to Russia to adopt her when she was 10 months old.
“Katie was tiny and a premature baby, but she was gorgeous and fun and full of life,” Monika Taraschewsky said. “When we were flying back home, she was a sick child. There’s a lot of malnutrition in Russia. I knew I had to get this baby home.”
For Katie Taraschewsky, the pitching circle has become a home too.
The 5-foot-5 Taraschewsky isn’t the traditional ace for an elite Class 4A program. She relies on location and grit to be one of the top pitchers in the state, and by relying on her, Barrington (34-3-1) became one of the best teams in the state again.
On June 13, Taraschewsky scattered seven hits and one walk while striking out three over 10 shutout innings to lead the Fillies to a 1-0 victory against Lockport in the state semifinals at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex.
The next day, she allowed four runs, only two of which were earned, on seven hits and two walks while striking out one in the Fillies’ 4-1 loss to Oswego in the state championship game. Taraschewsky worked out of multiple jams as the Panthers left eight runners on base in the first five innings.
That impressed Barrington coach Perry Peterson, who has 1,006 wins in 34 seasons.
“Katie was incredible all weekend,” Peterson said. “She’s such an intense competitor, and we followed her lead in pressure situations. She did a great job against Oswego.”
Taraschewsky said the Panthers had a potent lineup.
“I’m so beyond proud of this team,” she said. “We worked so hard this season. It was a blast. Oswego is a really good team. I feel good because I think I did my job on the mound pretty good. I was trying to get groundouts.”
Taraschewsky (31-4), who boosted her career record to 59-10-1, did a great job throughout the season. Over 221 1/3 innings, the second-most in program history, she threw 32 complete games with 15 shutouts and five one-hitters to finish with a 1.90 ERA. She struck out 146 and walked just 23.
“Katie is not throwing 68 miles per hour,” Peterson said. “She understands how to pitch and get outs. She has different things she can do with the ball, like change the spin of the ball and the speed and direction of the ball.”
Batting cleanup, Taraschewsky also was productive at the plate. She hit .392 with eight home runs and 44 RBIs, and she struck out just nine times.
Barrington senior catcher Reese Cullen, an Ohio State recruit, said Taraschewsky is the ultimate competitor.
“She never gives up and works so hard and believes in her defense and works on getting her pitches better every single day,” Cullen said. “She does not get bothered by anything or tired or down on herself. She has great stamina, takes it a pitch at a time and believes in herself.”
Taraschewsky said her work in the offseason included improving her four main pitches — fastball, change-up, rise ball and drop curve.
“This year I got better control over my pitches and worked hard to try to get them as best as I could to help the team, and I trusted myself more than last year,” she said. “My drop curve has come a long way since last year.”
Cullen said Taraschewsky showed her mettle against Lockport.
“She had a great performance in the semifinal,” Cullen said.
Monika Taraschewsky said she was gleaming with pride as she watched Katie pitch in Peoria.
“It was so amazing to watch her determination,” Monika Taraschewsky said. “She’s full of fire.”
Katie Taraschewsky’s father, Tom Zagorski, was thrilled too.
“I’m speechless and in awe of her,” Zagorski said. “She’s only 5-5. She’s worked so hard to be where she’s at. I’m so proud of her.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
