Softball Co-Player of the Year: Alex Storako

In a season in which there were going to be a lot of new faces on Lincoln-Way East's softball team, it's not surprising that many of those newcomers would play key roles in trying to get the program back to state for the third time in four years.

But while most of the additions were quite familiar with the Griffins' success since they had competed at nearby Lincoln-Way North, one player who would take on a very important responsibility not only was new to this setting but also would be competing in the state's largest class for the first time.

But if anyone thought that junior pitcher Alex Storako wouldn't be able to follow up on her initial two seasons of success at Bishop McNamara, those thoughts were quickly dispelled. She not only showed that she could compete for one of the state's top teams in Class 4A but continued to get better as the season progressed.

And Storako likely saved her best effort for last, going toe-to-toe with Oak Park-River Forest's Chardonnay Harris in a classic pitchers' duel in the Class 4A title game. Both hurlers took one-hitters into the seventh inning in a scoreless contest before OPRF's Mariah Scott hit a two-out solo homer to account for the game's lone run.

The Griffins pitcher finished with a 22-3 record with 289 strikeouts in 178 1/3 innings while posting an 0.86 ERA. At the plate, she hit .419 with eight doubles, four homers and 35 RBIs. As a result of her contributions to the state runner-up, Storako shares The Herald-News Softball Player of the Year award with her battery mate, senior catcher Christine Malito.

"It was such an exciting year, and I couldn't have asked for anything more," Storako said. "The girls were great and it was such a family atmosphere, and I loved every second of it. We really meshed together well. Because of all of our personalities, we were always goofy and always laughing, and I think that really helped.

"As the season progressed, we got more comfortable with each other on the field and trusted each other a lot more since we knew each others' strengths, and as a pitcher, that really helped. Our on- and off-field chemistry really helped with that. We had key players everywhere on the field, and I don't think that a lot of high school teams have that, so that's one reason why it was a very special team."

One of the key questions for the Griffins would be how well Storako and her new catcher, Malito, would work together. It didn't take long for the pair to click, and as a result, the Griffins started to get on a roll and wound up with a 30-4 record after capturing second place in 4A for the second time in three years.

"Christine and I really jelled," Storako said. "She knew when she needed to come out to the mound, and I knew when I needed to talk to her. It was just the kind of relationship where we didn't really talk much, but we just knew each other and that really helped. She was a great teammate to have since she's always positive and is just so supportive of me and as a pitcher, your catcher needs to be there for you."

East definitely gave defending champion OPRF a run for its money in the title game. But despite the loss, Storako was proud of her team and is excited about next year.

"The championship game was a lot of fun, and it was very competitive," Storako said. "As a pitcher, I really love being in competitive games like that because that just means that every pitch counts and you work so much harder for it. It's a great feeling to be on that stage in the first place. We have a lot to work for in the offseason, but every program does. Obviously every year there's going to be new faces stepping in, but I think that we'll have another good team, just like we did this year."

Storako was understandably pleased with her Griffins' debut.

"I'll remember the fun that we had whenever we were together," Storako said. "We were always together, on or off the field, and I think that really helped. We enjoyed each others' presence and that's what made it a blast. Every athlete in high school always wants to be in a state championship game, and it was very exciting to play in that state title game with a group of girls like this and I couldn't have asked for anything more."