Barrington senior pitcher Keenan Dolezal’s performance against Lakes on Friday was the kind of outing her teammates and coaches have become accustomed to during her past three-plus seasons on varsity softball.
Dolezal tossed a complete game, one-hit shutout — while striking out nine — as the Fillies blanked the visiting Eagles, 5-0. She retired the last 10 batters she faced after allowing a bloop single to center with two outs in the top of the fourth inning.
Even when ice pellets began to fall from the sky in the second inning while a stiff wind whipped out toward right field, it didn’t affect her command. She was on cruise control.
“I’ve only pitched in conditions like that once before, when it was kind of snowing against Marengo early in a game that went like 14 innings a few years ago,” Dolezal said.
She’s 8-3 this year and 67-15 overall at Barrington, just 13 victories shy of the all-time mark of 80 career wins set by Abby Reed from 2001-04. Dolezal also has a Class 4A third-place state finish under her belt during her sophomore year (2013), and the experience she brings could prove invaluable as the Fillies open Mid-Suburban League play this week.
“It honestly amazes me watching Keenan pitch,” said Barrington junior second baseman Kelly Katis. “Even during the rare times things get difficult or out-of-hand, she has such tremendous composure. She looks like nothing bothers her regardless of the situation.”
Dolezal says she’s been clocked between 68-69 miles per hour on a radar gun before, but that’s not what she focuses on.
“I’m more worried about my command and hitting my locations with my pitches when I’m out there,” said Dolezal, who will play locally for Loyola in college. “It’s nice to strike people out, but to be able to get outs consistently, accuracy is the most important thing.”
Dolezal also has tremendous fielding ability. Dolezal has only committed one error in her varsity career since being called up her freshman year.
She was a perfect 67-for-67 on fielding attempts in 2013, and 102-for-102 in 2014. Both marks are tied with Claire Voris (68-for-68 in 2006) for the program’s top single-season fielding percentage. And yes, she remembers her lone error quite well.
“It was in a game earlier this season, actually, so it kind of sticks out to me,” Dolezal said with a laugh. “I like to hop off the mound and as a result I misplayed a grounder.”
Ironically, Fillies coach Perry Peterson praised that play.
“Her lone error on varsity came on a play that was 14 or 15 feet to the right of the pitcher’s mound, halfway between the rubber and third base, completely outside the circle,” Peterson said. “The amazing thing is, it was a ball most pitchers probably wouldn’t have come close to even getting to, but her hustle and heart are incredible.”
So is her focus. When Dolezal throws a pitch that’s not put in play, she puts her glove out immediately asking to get the ball fired back to her, to set up for her next pitch as quick as possible.
“I just like to get in a rhythm out there,” Dolezal said. “Plus, it keeps my teammates ready and on their toes. Anything I can do to help my team win, I try my best to do. It’s all about the team.”
Froehlig is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @TFroehlig
