January 02, 2025
Sports

High school softball: Katie Polaski sets the tone for Downers Grove North's success

By MATT LE

Downers Grove North's pitcher Savannah Rodriguez (left) gets a high fives from teammates Estelle Czech and Katie Polaski (right) after a strikeout May 10 during a game against York. Polaski has been a key offensive threat and Rodriguez a top-flight pitcher for North this season. (Mark Busch)

DOWNERS GROVE – Katie Polaski rarely goes anywhere without a smile on her face, especially on the softball field.

That’s understandable considering the senior second baseman is always doing something positive.

“She means a lot to our team,” Downers North pitcher Savannah Rodriguez said. “She really just brings the energy and the spark that we need on the field.

“She peps everyone up before games and makes everyone feel good. She gives us all confidence.”

The Loyola-bound Polaski, a four-year starter, was hitting .553 through May 15 with a .596 on-base percentage out of the leadoff spot. She has 33 runs, 26 RBI, seven doubles and a home run, all while striking out only three times.

“You couldn’t build a better leadoff hitter than Katie,” Downers North coach Eric Landschoot said. “She sees pitches, she’s smart, she sets the tone for the game, gets on base, runs. She does everything.”

Little surprise that Loyola plans to use Polaski as a utility player. She can play the middle infield and the outfield.

“I’m willing to do all of them,” Polaski said. “I’m excited.”

Polaski has helped the Trojans (19-4) create plenty of excitement. While the left-handed hitter can bunt for hits, she is much more than a slap hitter.

“This year I have been hitting [away] a lot more,” Polaski said. “Last year I did have three home runs.

“This year I don’t have as many home runs, but I have more base hits, which is what I need. If I get on base, the team will help me out and I can score.”

Polaski has steadily improved throughout her career. She has cut down on her strikeouts while increasing her power.

“[Plate discipline] is something I definitely struggled with when I was an underclassman,” Polaski said. “But now that I’ve become more disciplined at the plate I can see the ball better.

“Last year I averaged .538 and I just wanted to set a goal for myself to do better. I didn’t think it was going to happen like that, but everyone is helping out to get here.”

For all her physical skills, Polaski thinks her success is predicated on what is between her ears.

“I think my mental game [is my biggest strength] because when you’re confident at the plate and on the field, that’s going to win games,” Polaski said. “You have physical ability because the talent is already there, so you just have to trust that.”

Landschoot knows he can trust Polaski, who has a .926 fielding percentage.

“I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a better player than Katie,” Landschoot said. “She’s the type of kid that you point her in the right direction and she’ll smile, go out there and get you a couple of hits and make a couple good plays.”