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player ready...Cat Klostermann enjoyed a very successful sophomore year for Nazareth.
The Oak Brook resident was the No. 1 pitcher on a talented team that lost in the Class 3A regional final 1-0 to Glenbard South..
But something was missing for Klostermann: plate production.
Klostermann felt that she struggled with pitch selection, alternating between swinging at anything early in the at-bat, and being too hesitant and falling behind in the count.
So during about 100 summer and fall league games with her travel teams — the Oak Park Windmills and then the Mizuno Hawks — she focused on pitch selection.
The results are pretty spectacular. She started the season as the team’s No. 7 batter, but has moved up two spots with consistent hitting.
“Now I have a plan when I go up there,” Klostermann said. “I might be looking for a pitch on the outside and when I get it I’m going to drive it to where I want it, as opposed to last year where I just went at any strike possible. It’s really more of a maturity, a change in the mental approach instead of the physical.”
Nazareth catcher CJ Mardirosian, who also plays on the Mizuno Hawks with Klostermann, knows her as well as anyone on the team and agrees with Klostermann’s assessment.
“She put in a lot of work in the fall and that’s why she’s so good this year,” Mardirosian said. “She was a little too anxious last year, but during fall we stayed after practice and did a lot of work. It’s a huge difference in confidence this year.”
Being a productive hitter this season has been a big relief for Klostermann. She knew with the graduation of seven seniors it would be important for her to be more than just a pitcher.
“Of course everyone wants the opportunity to hit, however I understood my role on this team last year,” she said. “Given that we have a very young team this year I was expecting to bat. I didn’t expect myself to be in the five spot, but by being able to find holes in the defense I’ve been able to move up.”
Klostermann continued her hot hitting on Thursday, April 23, in the Roadrunners’ 13-3 six-inning win over St. Ignatius, which placed fourth at state in 3A last year. She finished the day 3-for-4 with two doubles, a triple, two RBI and two runs scored.
She’s also been strong on the mound with an 8-4 record and, just like hitting, it’s how she’s grown in her thinking that has made the most difference.
“I’ve gotten so much stronger mentally,” Klostermann said. “I feel like I had most of the physical game down, but I wasn’t strong enough mentally. I really overcame a lot of barriers, things that were holding me back and that’s why I am where I am today.”
Nazareth head coach Kristen Stojetz can definitely see an improvement in how Klostermann approaches the game.
“She has a whole new composure when she gets on the mound, a confidence and growth I’ve seen from last year to this year,” Stojetz said. “The fact that she’s contributing offensively, as well, has been to an asset this year.”
Notes
* Roadrunners’ pitcher Devyn Zuro (5-2) earned the win against St. Ignatius, allowing six hits over six innings. Mary Grace Chizewski also had a nice day at the plate for Nazareth (13-6), with a double and three RBI, while Mia Davis added a two-run double and two walks.
Valentin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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