After three years at first base, St. Charles North’s Abby Zawadzki steps up as pitcher. ‘That’s my main thing.’
· Yahoo Sports
It suits her.
Abby Zawadzki is a four-year varsity player for St. Charles North, but opponents used to seeing her playing at first base will be getting a new look this spring from the senior right-hander.
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The 6-foot Zawadzki was listed as a pitcher/first baseman her previous three seasons, but opportunities in the circle were limited with stars Ava Goettel and Paige Murray ahead of her.
“I’ve taken on a new role this year,” said Zawadzki, who came into the season with only 25 2/3 innings pitched in her entire high school career. “Paige was fantastic last year.
“The past few years, playing first has been my role and I’d do what I had to do.”
Now, she’s spreading her wings.
Zawadzki made her first start of the season Wednesday and looked to be in midseason form, shutting down Burlington Central by firing a one-hitter in an 8-0 nonconference victory.
Zawadzki, who struck out eight and walked one, helped her own cause with two hits for the North Stars (2-0). Her highlight was a two-run double during a six-run second inning.
Junior third baseman Julianna Kouba also went 3-for-3 as the North Stars took advantage of five errors by the Rockets (1-3).
“I just love that she came out here and pitched like she pitched,” St. Charles North coach Tom Poulin said. “We’ve got two girls who’ve been waiting for Paige Murray to graduate.
“We miss Paige, don’t get me wrong, but Carrigan Rich steps in and throws a four-inning no-hitter (Tuesday) and Abby a one-hitter (Wednesday).”
Rich, a senior right-hander who worked 32 innings last season, was the winner in a 15-0 victory over visiting West Chicago in the season opener and Zawadzki backed her with a three-run homer.
Some things never change, indeed.
Zawadzki started the season with 50 career hits, with 26 going for extra bases, featuring 14 homers, 11 doubles and a triple.
Junior shortstop Mei Shirokawa was Burlington Central’s lone baserunner Wednesday, beating out a grounder to lead off the fourth that junior first baseman Olivia Galliart ranged to her right to field.
Zawadzki, who was perfect through three innings, also yielded a two-out walk to Shirokawa in the sixth.
Galliart, a lefty, will also pitch this season for the North Stars. Senior catcher Miranda Quigley, a Missouri-St. Louis commit, is a travel teammate with Zawadzki on the Dennison Silver Hawks.
“I caught her all fall, which was really good to prepare us for the high school season,” Quigley said. “We’ve got a good connection. She’s really good at working the ball in and out, has a good screwball and curveball and then she’s willing to go up on hitters with her rise.
“Her length really helps, along with big hands that help her spin.”
Zawadzki remains uncommitted but has several Division I programs recruiting her.
“She throws hard, has good movement,” Poulin said. “It feels like she’s on top of you when she delivers the ball. That’s what our girls who hit against her in practice say.”
Zawadzki prepared for the season by working out with Geneva-based pitching coach Kristie Spielman-Phillip and St. Charles-based hitting coach Marc Mantucca.
“Honestly, I’m just throwing as hard as I can,” Zawadzki said. “That’s my main thing. That and throwing to spots and relying on my defense, which always has my back.”
Her velocity has topped out at 67 mph, according to Quigley, who catches her during lessons.
In 47 innings pitched in the fall, Zawadzki struck out 55, posted a 1.64 ERA and .936 WHIP, which is walks plus hits per Innings pitched.
“She’s an athlete,” Poulin said of Zawadzki. “She’s our fastest around the bases when we time them. She’s second or third fastest home to first, but home to home, she’s our fastest.”