Softball: York star Lauren Derkowski wins USA Softball Junior Olympic Cup championship

Lauren Derkowski admitted that it was initially a challenge returning to the pitcher's circle after a long layoff.

Before long, she felt right back where she belongs.

Derkowski, a rising senior at York and Michigan recruit, lost her spring season like every other softball player in Illinois because of the coronavirus pandemic. She's made up for lost time this summer.

Derkowski, playing with the Tennessee Mojo 2021 travel team, won the USA Softball Junior Olympic Cup on July 31 in Spartanburg County, S.C.

"It was so nice, especially because we didn't get to play in any games in high school this year. It felt good competing," Derkowski said. "I felt back in my space. At first when I got back it was challenging because I hadn't thrown to a batter in such a long time. After a while, I felt this is where I belong."

Derkowski, who led York to the Class 4A state tournament as a freshman and struck out 241 batters with a 2.20 earned run average as a sophomore in 2019, didn't completely take the spring off.

With school on-line, Derkowski was able to do drills and get out to fields. The time away allowed her to work on mechanics.

"It was helpful to take a step back, break it down, get back to basics," Derkowski said. "For me it was a nice refresher."

Derkowski used to play travel softball with the Beverly Bandits, but switched over to the Tennessee Mojo right before spring season started. She joined her teammate Rose Roach, from Kaneland, in a program that draws girls from many states including Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia. Another pitcher, Emerson Aiken of Short Pump, Va., is a fellow Michigan commit.

"I didn't know any of the other girls. We did a lot of team bonding that helped," Derkowski said.

The team had only one practice, but played in a number of tournaments across southern states when they came permissible.

Derkowski was in a groove in South Carolina in leading the Mojo to its second straight Junior Olympic Cup 16U championship. She went 3-0 with three saves in seven appearances in bracket play with a 1.04 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 27 innings.

"I feel like I pitched really well; a lot of my pitches were on and I felt really confident," Derkowski said. "Having my team behind me helped. Riley [Hull] was calling such a great game. Knowing I had my team behind me, I was confident in them and myself. I felt prepared mentally and physically."

The team overcame its share of adversity to reach the final. Mojo lost to Atlanta Viper-Billings 6-2 on July 30 and had to win three consecutive games, two over the Vipers in the semifinals, to reach the finals.

"Those games were pretty tough, we were pretty exhausted by the last one, we had played all day," Derkowski said. "But it was a lot of fun. Those are the ones you remember and get the best memories from."

Derkowski enjoyed a memorable final against the Gold Coast Hurricanes-Hammonds, throwing a four-hit shutout with seven strikeouts and no walks in a complete game, 5-0 win.

"The last game was very, very exciting, to go out there and get into the mindset, such an important game," Derkowski said. "I had to focus on what I can do and focus on what i can control, throw my best stuff."