Illiana Christian coach Nicole Terpstra-Wondaal has seen Mikayla Derks grow in various ways — including literally — over the years.
Terpstra-Wondaal continues to be impressed by her sophomore pitcher.
“I’ve known her since she was a little girl,” Terpstra-Wondaal said of Derks. “She always has that composure. She’s unfazed. She’s a good competitor.”
Derks exhibited all of those attributes in the Vikings’ 2-0 win against Wheeler in Valparaiso on Monday in the season opener for both teams.
With Illiana Christian making its debut in the Greater South Shore Conference, which the Bearcats won last season, Derks allowed two hits with seven strikeouts and three walks in six innings. She also delivered a first-inning triple that scored the first run in a game that umpires called with two outs in the top of the seventh because of darkness.
“She hit her spots very well,” Terpstra-Wondaal said. “She executed pitches when she needed to execute them. And when she missed a spot, she came right back with the next one. That’s what you’re looking to see.
“We try to tell the girls, ‘So what? What are you going to do next? How do you respond? Control the controllables.’ Mikayla has a nice mound presence.”
Derks made an impact as a freshman. She posted a 2.61 ERA in a team-high 94 innings last season.
“She grew since last year — she’s taller,” Terpstra-Wondaal said. “She’s stronger. She’s just starting to understand how to manipulate the ball — the fingertips, the spin.
“She’s always been a very smart pitcher, so it’s nice to see the finesse part coming along too. She works hard. I’m very happy to see it all coming together.”
Derks also believes she has made strides.
“I’ve learned a lot since last year,” she said. “I can throw my change-up better, but it can get better too.
“My rise was pretty good (Monday), and the defense was really good. Our team is really good.”
Derks envisions Illiana Christian challenging for the conference title and postseason success. She said she wouldn’t mind mixing in a few perfect games and no-hitters along the way.
Derks didn’t quite achieve that lofty standard against Wheeler. Senior catcher Kyla Chevalier collected both hits, including the first to lead off the fourth, for the Bearcats.
Wheeler coach Mark Becker was impressed after Derks out outdueled another sophomore, Clara Phariss, who allowed two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and three walks in 6 ? innings.
“She did very, very well,” Becker said of Derks. “She had a nice change-up that we were biting on and caused us trouble. They’re a strong team. We knew what to expect with this pitcher. We just didn’t get the bats going.
“Hats off to them. If you’re going to lose, it’s good to lose to a quality team, and they’re a quality team. Of course, it would’ve been better to win against a quality team.”
More Top Picks Accommodative Dysfunction Signs Your Childs Eyes Cant Focus
Vikings senior first baseman Taylor Oppenhuis had two hits and scored the game’s first run. Sophomore second baseman Maya Wondaal hit a home run to straightaway center on the first pitch of the sixth inning.
“It’s a very big win,” Terpstra-Wondaal said. “It sets the tone for the conference. They’re a quality team. Clara does a really good job on the mound, and Kyla does a very nice job behind the plate. I have a lot of compliments for them.
“I’m just really happy with the way we came out and played. We were coming off 10 days off for spring break — we don’t play, we don’t practice as a team. It’s a lot of time to be away from the game. So I’m very happy for our girls. They worked hard and stayed focused.”