It seemed appropriate, especially on this day, that Anastasia Pappas wore No. 1.
The St. Charles North pitcher is the one and only senior on the team’s roster.
That meant Pappas and her parents were the only people introduced Tuesday in an unusually short senior day ceremony before the North Stars’ game against Batavia.
A right-hander who has signed with NCAA Division II West Virginia Wesleyan, Pappas then went out and owned that singular number by firing a one-hit shutout.
She even drove in the only run that was needed in a 4-0 DuKane Conference victory, hitting an RBI double in a three-run first inning as the North Stars batted around.
“We’ve been struggling getting on the first pitch getting quality at bats and striking out looking,” Pappas said. “I think all of us decided to go up there and look to do something with the first pitch and score early.”
As a result, Ashlee Chantos came up with a one-out single and stole second to start the first. Pappas drove the ball over the head of the center fielder to score Chantos.
Julia Larson’s double scored Pappas, and a bases-loaded walk later in the inning to Auburn Roberson drove in a third run for St. Charles North (8-6, 5-4).
Pappas (5-4) then cruised in the circle with the exception of issuing walks in the second and third innings. She retired nine straight and carried a no-hitter into the sixth, striking out the first batter.
It brought up leadoff hitter Alex Klein, who poked a soft liner over the head of first baseman Megan Bauwens that fell harmlessly to the edge of the infield dirt for a single and the only hit for Batavia (7-9, 5-7).
“Scoring early resulted in me having a better approach on the mound and the defense allowed me to go out there and relax,” said Pappas, who was well aware of the fact she hadn’t allowed a hit. “It landed on the dirt just before the outfield grass.
“It was a no-man’s play.”
Undeterred, Pappas retired five straight to close out the shutout. She finished with three strikeouts, relying heavily on her defense.
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Batavia starter Betsy Thayer settled down and pitched well after the first inning. She allowed an unearned run in the third that scored on an outfield error.
It was a far cry from the teams’ previous meeting Friday at Batavia, when the North Stars prevailed 10-9 in nine innings.
Pappas said she and Thayer know each other well, taking private lessons from the same pitching coach.
“We always seem to hit off each other, too,” Pappas said. “I didn’t have my best stuff (Tuesday) and the last time I didn’t, either. I was able to work outside with a little off-speed stuff and high riseballs.”
St. Charles North coach Tom Poulin said his lone senior deserved a big day.
“She’s had a great run for us,” Poulin said of Pappas. “She came up midway through her freshman year and ended up in the starting lineup for a team that reached the supersectional in the playoffs. She’s worked so hard.
“She’s led off for us, been a very good No. 2 hitter, she’s batted third, and we even have had her at four because she’s going to put the ball in play and the girls at the top of our lineup are usually on base.”
Pappas also has improved as a leader, according to Poulin.
“She’s our only captain this year,” he said. “She’s been a great mentor and really taken a lot of kids under her wing. It’s incredible what she’s done on a daily basis.”