Andrew freshman PJ Gorajski burst onto the scene in a big way in the pitching circle.
Her varsity career got started March 19 when she struck out nine of the first 10 Shepard batters en route to a 5-2 home victory. Gorajski finished with 14 strikeouts against an experienced Shepard team that was 28-6 last season.
She pitched one scoreless inning in 9-6 come-from-behind home win over Minooka the next day as the Thunderbolts scored seven in the bottom of the seventh to prevail.
Even in defeat on March 21, Gorajski put up impressive numbers, striking out 10 in a 3-1 home loss to St. Ignatius.
So, through three games for Andrew (2-1) she has struck out 26 batters in 15 innings.
Here’s the kicker.
“I’ll be honest — pitching is not her No. 1 position,” Thunderbolts coach Alyssa Gunther said of Gorajski. “She’s a second baseman.”
That may be true, but she will get innings in as a hurler.
“She knows that it’s something that the team needs and she is willing to put the team on her back,” Gunther said. “She did it with grace and we couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
Gorajski has the confidence to succeed, but was a little out of her comfort zone when making her debut.
“I was definitely nervous,” she said. “Being a freshman on varsity if definitely a big thing and going out and pitching is even a bigger thing.”
But striking out nine of the first 10 Astros did wonders to calm her nerves.
“I was very surprised I did that,” Gorajski said. “I just let the ball spin and let it do its thing.”
Gorajski mixes speeds on her pitches well and that helps keep opposing hitters off balance.
“She is able to locate her pitches well and she’s able to mix her pitches,” Gunther said. “I think that’s what makes her effective. We’re excited.”
Gorajski was taught well growing up. Her mother Danielle — maiden name Leonard — threw a seven-inning perfect game with 12 strikeouts for Eisenhower against Tinley Park in 2000.
“My mom was a pitcher and she wanted me to pursue that,” she said. “But I wanted to be more than just a pitcher so I started to play second base.”
With the pitching in good standing, the Thunderbolts also have some strong hitting with Piper Jalowiec entering the week hitting .400, Maddie Murray at .375 and leadoff hitter Ana Cisek at .364 and leading the club with six RBIs.
Shepard (0-2) was only able to get three hits against Gorajski — from Meghan Potenza, Emrie Peterson and Ruby Aardsma.
The Astros were able to provide plenty of offense on March 21 but still suffered a 12-8 road setback to Manteno.