Try not to blink.
Senior catcher Teagan Sullivan realizes her softball career could be coming to a close on any given now now, but the Batavia co-captain isn’t done quite yet.
One of three seniors playing in their third year on the varsity for the Bulldogs, Sullivan has developed a deep appreciation for the experiences she has enjoyed during that time.
Sullivan, however, won’t play the sport in college. She will be attending Iowa as a student, where she plans to start on a path toward becoming a physician’s assistant.
“It’s sad,” said Sullivan, who has played softball for 11 years. “But I feel like it has to come to an end one day.”
That day wasn’t Monday, however.
Batavia, the 14th seed of the Class 4A Yorkville Sectional, earned a 19-0 win over 19th-seeded East Aurora at home in the quarterfinals of the Naperville Central Regional.
Sullivan got things going for the Bulldogs (9-25), ripping a one-out double down the left field line to drive in the first two runs of a seven-run bottom of the first inning.
Batavia added seven more runs in the second and then put in six reserves.
Junior pitcher Precious Osei led off the first with a sharp single for the Tomcats (1-13), but it was the only hit mustered off Batavia pitcher Addie Woodard, a sophomore right-hander.
The win advances Batavia to a regional semifinal against third-seeded Naperville Central (23-9).
“They have a lot of wins,” Sullivan said of the Redhawks. “But I think we play pretty good competition in our conference and that we can compete. We just have to play our best.”
It was a bittersweet win as well for Batavia coach Torry Pryor, who this past winter completed his second season coaching the East Aurora girls basketball team.
“Four of those girls were on my team,” Pryor said. “I’m not trying to run the score up on them. I’m not trying to embarrass anyone.
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“I love both sports. Once upon a time, basketball was No. 1 for me, but now, softball has caught up and they’re about even. I like putting my time in for both of them.”
Freshman outfielder Mason Fetterolf led Batavia with a double and a triple. Sophomore first baseman Leah Paganelis also doubled.
Sullivan, who also drew a walk before exiting the game, made the decision to give up softball during her junior season.
“I decided to focus on my studies because to go to PA school, you have to have a really good GPA and you can’t be slacking,” she said. “I felt like it would be too much to try to do both in college.
“I’ve always wanted to do something in the medical field and going to med school and everything to become a doctor is just a lot. I think becoming a PA is definitely doable.”
Sullivan hopes to pursue a specialty working with orthopedic surgeons.
“Science classes have always been my favorite,” she said. “And, no, blood doesn’t bother me at all.”
Pryor confirmed that Sullivan has meant a lot to the team, especially working with its top two starting pitchers in sophomore Payton Kaefer and freshman Francesca Carter.
“Teagan has been a good leader defensively and offensively,” Pryor said. “Her offense has stepped up this year and come a long way. She’s been my voice with the team in the locker room, keeping them on track.
“Those young pitchers look to have a higher ceiling than we’ve had recently.”
Sullivan confirmed the future is bright for the Bulldogs.
“From when I started to now, we’ve improved,” she said. “This is a young team and there’s more talent on the way. And those two starters? By the time they’re seniors, they’re gonna be untouchable.”