Sure, Munster senior Emily Siurek has a preference.
Given the choice, the South Dakota State commit would rather shut down opposing hitters from the circle than light up scoreboards from the batter’s box.
“When I’m on, it relieves a lot more stress for the other players,” she said. “But I like hitting home runs too.”
Sometimes she’ll do both, like she did against Hanover Central on Monday. Siurek launched a solo home run in the fourth inning and allowed just two runs in her four-inning start as the Mustangs won 9-5 in a Northwest Crossroads Conference game.
Well-rounded performances like that by Munster’s ace are nothing new. Siurek is 3-3 with a 2.37 ERA in 38 1/3 innings and is hitting .413 with 16 RBIs, five doubles and three home runs for the Mustangs (10-4, 3-0).
In fact, she has been a dual threat throughout her four-year varsity career. Last season, she had a 3.44 ERA in 95 2/3 innings and hit .438 with 30 RBIs, 11 doubles, four triples and six home runs.
According to Munster coach Jill Perez, seeing Siurek in the circle helps ease the minds of everyone else on the team.
“She’s strong, she’s confident and she’s someone that they know they can rely on,” Perez said. “They know Emily’s going to get the job done, so everyone else can take a deep breath. We just have to have her back because she’s going to lead us.”
Siurek has also embraced the role of mentor this season, serving as a guide for two freshmen, Allyson Compton and Kaylee O’Connell, who are sharing the pitching duties.
O’Connell emphasized intangibles among the things she has learned from Siurek.
“She always has a positive attitude,” O’Connell said. “She’s never negative. She’s always up and active with the team, always cheering. She’s never down.”
Perhaps Siurek isn’t down this season because the thought hasn’t crossed her mind. She actually prefers to have few thoughts at all during games, which is part of her two-word strategy for handling the stressful moments in softball.
“Think less,” she said. “To think less, throw my game, hit my game and just have fun with it.”
Between pitches, Siurek said she goes to her “outlet” to prevent her mind from racing.
“After I catch the ball, I look at a focal point, which is usually my center fielder or the building behind me,” she said. “Then I’ll take a deep breath and go on to the next pitch.”
Siurek has improved in the physical aspects of the game, citing new Munster strength coach Riley Edgerton as a valuable resource. But Siurek said she’s constantly reading about the mental side of the game and that “Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence” is her favorite book.
“I took a lot of notes from that book,” she said.
Siurek also took plenty of notes from former teammates, like 2021 graduate Hailey Sullivan, 2022 graduate Paige Vukadinovich and 2023 graduate Char Lorenz.
“In the past, we’ve had some great girls who I looked up to,” Siurek said. “I hope I can do the same for the underclassmen now as well.”
That seems likely, given Siurek’s production and her positive attitude, which was reflected in the wide smile on her face as she spoke.
“I couldn’t be happier,” she said. “I love this team. We’re having so much fun, and I can’t wait to have even more.”
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter.
