Jessica Pozezinski has been a central figure for Grayslake North throughout her career.
The Knights won 46 games in her first two seasons and, after the 2020 season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, remain one of the top teams in Lake County.
But Grayslake North’s formula for success is different this season with a roster that includes three freshmen and three sophomores. Pozezinski, a senior center fielder who has committed to play at Concordia-Wisconsin, said the Knights (15-5) have exceeded her expectations. They topped Warren 6-2 on Wednesday.
Pozezinski is one of four players hitting over .400. Sophomore Morgan Nielsen leads the team with a .475 average and seven home runs. Pozezinski is hitting .444.
“It’s so cool leading a team with so much potential and talent,” Pozezinski said. “The team has surprised me this year. We have some young girls and some girls that missed their first year of varsity ball last year, so we have a decent amount of rookies on the team.
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“Despite all that, the girls show up and take care of business like I’ve never seen before. I’m really excited to see what the rest of our season has in store for us.”
Junior pitcher Gianna Certa’s development is a major factor in the Knights’ rise to first place in the Northern Lake County Conference. Certa, who is 10-1 with a 2.01 ERA, has 138 strikeouts and just seven walks.
“She’s probably the calmest pitcher I’ve ever coached,” Grayslake North coach Amanda Rodriguez said. “She commands the mound and gets people out on the pitch she wants. Her change-up is pretty wicked. It’s one of her best pitches, but she throws a bunch of different pitches.”
Debevec heats up: Antioch junior shortstop Gabby Debevec, who committed to play Division I softball at Illinois in October after just one varsity season, says that brings “a different kind of pressure.”
“I definitely felt it,” she said. “I had to realize that my commitment is something to be proud of and not something that I should get down on myself when I don’t perform to the best of my ability.
“I’m focused on having fun right now, and I’m excited to be part of such a fun team. And because of that, my season is going really well.”
Indeed, Debevec has been a force in the Sequoits’ lineup. Batting from the No. 2 spot in the order, she has led the offense in the past six games with a .688 average, four home runs, three doubles and 12 RBIs.
Debevec credits her improved mental approach for her recent surge.
“I’ve become tougher mentally and realized not to let my past at-bats control what happens in my future ones,” she said.
Ruchim racks up hits: Elle Ruchim had a game to remember against Warren on Tuesday.
The Stevenson junior outfielder nearly hit for the cycle, just missing the rare feat with a single, a double and a home run in a wild 12-11 loss to the Blue Devils.
Ruchim drove in four runs, including a three-run double to highlight an eight-run outburst in the top of the fourth inning. After Warren answered with an eight-spot in the bottom of the fourth, Ruchim drilled a line-drive home run to center field in the sixth to give the Patriots a lead.
In a three-game stretch against Wauconda, Mundelein and Warren, Ruchim hit two homers, drove in six runs and reached base eight times.
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.