Argo freshman Hailey Pacheco was ready for prep softball, thanks to her big sister.
Jozlynn Pacheco played for the Argonauts the past four seasons, earning All-State honors at shortstop before moving on to play for Lewis University.
“My sister was a captain last year and I knew I wanted to kind of take her place,” Hailey Pacheco said. “I knew I needed to be confident, especially since I had to face some 18-year-olds.”
Just a few games into her first high-school season, Pacheco is showing she can deliver at the plate and on the mound. On March 25, she helped lead Argo past host Chicago Christian 5-3.
“I needed to step up and bring my best to the season,” Pacheco said. “I had to bring my hitting and my pitching.”
Pacheco pitched seven innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits and a walk with 11 strikeouts. At the plate, she went 2-for-4 with a double and four RBIs, including the game-winner.
“She is going to help us stay in and compete in every game,” Argo coach Russ Nowak said.
Pacheco was not the only freshman making her presence felt. Chicago Christian’s Alivia Hovanec also had a big day.
Hovanec went 2-for-4 with a double and a run while pitching seven innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks with a game-high 14 strikeouts.
“She’s a bulldog. … She wants to go at hitters and wants to challenge hitters,” Chicago Christian coach Kevin Pittman said.
Abby Rashan’s lone hit was a game-tying RBI double in the sixth for the Knights. Abby Moro started the comeback with a two-run single the previous inning.
Pittman is glad to have Hovanec on the roster to lead a youth movement.
“We have to be competitive,” Pittman said. “When you step between the lines, you have to have the confidence that we can play this game with anybody and that we can win ball games.”
Argo shortstop Peyton Lupo had two hits and a run, while second baseman Yulianna Vargas had a game-high three hits, a stolen base and a run. Centerfielder Abigail Grenier walked twice and scored two runs.
For the first time this season the Argonauts had to grind out a win, but Pacheco was prepared.
“I know what I need to do in those moments to calm down,” Pacheco said. “I walked to the end of the pitcher’s circle, took a breath, and got ready for the next pitch.”
When Pacheco isn’t pitching, she’s eager to keep competing and will play wherever needed.
“I like playing the outfield but they usually don’t put me out there,” Pacheco said. “But I also, I just like playing utility.”
Argo, which entered this week 3-0, has built a respected softball program and Pacheco hopes to keep that tradition alive.
“Have fun and win,” Pacheco said. “We want to have the confidence, score runs and just always be trying to do our best.”