Makenna Juarez had the opposite of stage fright for the Evergreen Park 14U All-Stars.
Juarez, who’s heading into her sophomore year at Mother McAuley, didn’t mind the spotlight of the ESPN cameras. It only helped to reveal all sides of the gifted and hard-hitting infielder.
“I told myself to play how I always do and not to be nervous even though I was on TV,” Juarez said about the Junior League Softball World Series. “You have to be confident in your at-bats and fielding.
“After that first game, every time I got on base, I threw up peace signs or blew kisses to the camera.”
It was a photo finish for Juarez, who went 9-for-18 with 13 runs and six RBIs in helping Evergreen Park to the championship game of the Junior League Softball World Series.
Evergreen Park, with a 10-player roster made up of local standouts representing five area high schools, lost 2-0 to Columbus, Texas on Saturday, Aug. 2 in Kirkland, Washington.
Sophomore outfielder Molly Goyke is one of three players from Evergreen Park High School on the All-Star team. Her father, Adam, is the manager.
Juarez, an Evergreen Park resident, hit a home run in the first inning to spark an 11-4 victory over Ohio in the Central Regional championship game.
“She has the smoothest swing I’ve ever seen,” Adam Goyke said of Juarez. “She attacks the ball and goes hard every time. She is a coach’s dream.
More Top Picks Ratings
“She can hit for power but can also lay down the bunt, has great instincts and is very impressive.”
Molly Goyke led off and Juarez followed her in the crucial second spot of the batting order.
”We’ve been playing together for a long time and she’s such an encouraging and uplifting person,” Molly said of Juarez. “She’s a great all-around player.
“I know every time that I get on base she’s going to score me.”
In seven games at the World Series, Juarez also walked eight times, producing a .667 on-base percentage and elite 1.389 OPS, which is on-base percentage plus slugging percentage.
She also played stellar defense at second base, her style accentuated by an outgoing personality.
“It was a great experience because I got to meet so many people from around the world,” she said. “We’d never been in the World Series. We were nervous. We knew people back home were having watch parties.
“I’m always locked in and I said, ‘Let’s build this momentum.’”
The second oldest child in a family of four, Juarez started playing softball at age 6.
Her father, Patrick, played football and wrestled at Mount Carmel. Her mother, Mary Mullaney, also played sports growing up.
“A big part of growing up in my life was my dad pushed me to always do my best,” Juarez said. “My dad would always be out practicing softball and hitting and helping me get better.
“My parents never doubted me, and that’s a big part of how I got here and who I am.”
As naturally talented as she is at the game, softball is just part of her athletic profile.
She was the leading scorer on the lower levels for the Mighty Macs’ flag football team. She also started at point guard on the freshman basketball team.
More Top Picks Best Dog Strollers
In the spring, she alternated between second base and left field for McAuley’s varsity. The Mighty Macs struggled at times in softball, and dealing with adversity helped her on the national stage.
Juarez was the viral star of the magical run by Evergreen Park.
“The ESPN announcers and people posting on Instagram all talked about how I always knew where the camera was,” she said. “I love playing softball because it’s my main sport.
“What I learned about the experience is I do want to play in college because I love being on TV.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.