Maggie Webster’s relief appearances are vital for Waukegan. They’re symbolic too.
The junior pitcher has watched teammate Viviana Guzman the past two seasons and wants to follow the senior right-hander in more ways than one.
Guzman, the News-Sun player of the year and the North Suburban Conference player of the year in 2021, has signed to play softball at Green Bay.
“I love seeing that she can do it,” Webster said. “It makes me think that it’s even more of a possibility that it can happen for me, so that’s a good thing. I love playing with her.”
Guzman said she has shared her recruiting experience with Webster.
“Maggie has asked me some questions since I’ve been through it,” Guzman said. “I do my best to give her the most information I can about the process.”
Webster also has taken note of Guzman’s demeanor in the circle.
“I’ve always liked how she can keep her composure and keep her emotions on the inside,” Webster said. “I watch how her different pitches move. Usually she always looks confident and keeps it all in. She doesn’t look like she’s ever in a super pressure spot.
“Sometimes I feel I show my emotions on my face more. But I watch her, and you can never tell.”
Webster, who also starts in the circle for the Bulldogs (4-3), has been finishing games that Guzman starts while Guzman works her way back from a knee injury she suffered in the offseason.
“Maggie’s had my back recently,” Guzman said. “I’m slowly getting back into it. Maggie’s been taking the lead for the majority of games and has been pitching great.”
Through seven games, Webster had a 2.96 ERA in 28 ? innings with 41 strikeouts and just four walks, and she threw her third career no-hitter in a 10-0 win against Lake Forest on April 11. She was hitting .250 with five RBIs and six runs in 20 at-bats.
Webster said she’s keeping hitters off balance by mixing her seven pitches.
“Pitching-wise, I’m very happy so far this season,” Webster said. “My curveball and change-up are working good and have improved a lot. Those two are my shutout pitches.”
Webster, whose younger sister Alyssa also plays for the Bulldogs, likely will follow Guzman in another way next season.
“(Maggie) looks up to Vivi, like someone worthy of the No. 1 spot, but knows she has the talent to be there. … She has Division I potential,” Waukegan coach Amy Ramsey said. “Maggie doesn’t throw quite as hard as Vivi, but she has good movement, and she’s gotten so much better this year.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.