Performing was always a part of Sophie Stone’s high school experience.
Although Stone had to wait to display her talents on the field for Fenwick, she had plenty of practice preparing for the big stage.
“I gained a lot of experience working with a theater company,” she said. “I’ve worked tech, sound and with the backstage crew in my junior and senior year. I’m also acting again after stopping for a while.”
Stone, who didn’t become Fenwick’s ace until her senior season, said her participation in many aspects of theater helped her handle the bright lights at the Class 3A state tournament. The Oberlin recruit pitched five innings in relief, striking out 10, as Fenwick beat Waterloo 4-2 in the third-place game on June 8.
Stone, who also took the loss against eventual state champion Pontiac in the state semifinals, said she wasn’t fazed by the atmosphere in Peoria.
“Being on the stage has taught me a lot,” she said. “You don’t have another chance. It’s live and in front of people. You get one shot at it. You don’t get a redo. There’s a lot of practice and prep involved with it, and like being a pitcher, a lot of focus is on you. You are involved in quite literally everything.
“I had to trust myself and the work I’ve done to get to this point. State is the biggest event in high school softball, is televised and all eyes are on you. You have to be comfortable with that, not letting the nerves get the better of you. It’s a unique experience.”
Stone went 8-2 with a 2.08 ERA and 148 strikeouts in 97 2/3 innings this season as the Friars (19-8) advanced to state for the first time since 1998 and established a new standard with a program-best third-place trophy.
During Stone’s freshman season, which she missed with a back injury, Fenwick won just three games.
“It was a very satisfying conclusion, especially since it was a struggle for years for me and the team,” she said. “I got hurt, did not play a ton, and then in my senior year, we went to state and broke Fenwick history.”
Stone pitched in all of the Friars’ playoff games with the exception of their regional semifinal win against Noble Street College Prep.
“I put a lot of trust in her,” Fenwick first-year coach Valerie Jisa said. “She peaked at the end of the season, finding this amazing groove and confidence. She pitched really good in our last game, finding her spots and working the corners.”
Stone’s father, Ben, who has been her coach on six teams over the past 11 years, mainly in travel softball, said she rose to the occasion.
“She’s really had a good year, but to see her put it together for the stretch run — regionals, sectionals, supersectional and state — it was just awesome,” Ben Stone said. “She’s really come together in terms of her mental game.”
Jisa said Sophie Stone is also a supportive and team-oriented player.
“She’s really gritty and unique in that she’s a multitalented student-athlete,” Jisa said. “She’s very independent and definitely speaks her mind.”
Softball is just one part of Stone’s busy life.
“She’s kind of the anti-athlete in a way,” Ben Stone said. “She’s a good athlete with very good hand-eye coordination and a good pitcher. But she’s a self-proclaimed super nerd who just happens to be a (great) pitcher.”
Fenwick third baseman Maddie Entler said Sophie Stone is unique.
“She’s a very talented person, very funny and always tries to keep the energy up,” Entler said.
Stone said she’s glad everything worked out for her and her teammates.
“There was finally an opening to pitch this season, so I was hoping to see the field more,” Stone said. “I really wanted to do well and have it be my year. It had been building for my first two years. I had a lot of situations that restricted me from seeing the mound. I really wanted to be on the field and be pitching and winning.
“In the end, it was very satisfying narratively, since it was our last hurrah that we got third at state and did really well.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
