Warren sophomore Sydney Jackson is determined to achieve her dream of pitching in college.
Jackson, who has been a catalyst for the Blue Devils in her first varsity season, said her success on the mound has cemented her belief that she can play at the next level.
She has been on that path since falling in love with pitching at age 12.
“I plan on going to a lot of (college) camps this summer,” Jackson said. “I’m in the recruiting process, working through emails, and will dip my toes in the water in the whole college process.
“I’m interested in going into nursing, so I have to find the right school for me. I’m looking at all levels, so everything is pretty open. I’m excited to see how we do in the postseason.”
Jackson’s summer plans are on hold for now because the high school state series extends further into June than usual due to changes made during the coronavirus pandemic. But she can take another step forward with a strong performance in the postseason.
Jackson’s work on the mound and at the plate helped the Blue Devils (18-5, 14-0) win the North Suburban Conference title. She went 12-2 record with a 2.85 ERA and hit .441 during the regular season.
Warren coach Jenna Charbonneau said Jackson won’t be fazed by the pressure of the postseason, which began for the Blue Devils with a Class 4A regional semifinal game against Lake Forest in Gurnee on Wednesday.
“We’re excited to start the postseason,” Charbonneau said. “Sydney Jackson had a really good regular season for us. She put in a lot of work in the weight room and has been tough on the mound. I’m looking forward to her future. We’re lucky to have a couple of more years with her.
“She really kept her composure for a sophomore. She came on pretty good — not a nervous kid — so that’s been nice not having to worry about nerves.”
Jackson was unflappable during a rough outing against Stevenson on May 18, a windy day when she allowed eight runs in the fourth inning. The Blue Devils rallied with 10 runs over the next three innings to record a 12-11 victory, and Jackson went the distance to earn the win.
“We’re looking for Sydney to get more control and be low on walks, but also to place her pitches better,” Charbonneau said. “She has to hone in on a solid foundation of a few pitches as opposed to a wide array of pitches that may or may not hit on certain days.”
Jackson said she’s excited about the challenge of pitching in the playoffs.
“My nerves have settled down, and I feel more confident I know how to play,” Jackson said. “It definitely took some getting used to after not having a season last year, but I’m confident with my defense. I just have to come out strong, trust our bats and defense, and have confidence on the mound.”
Senior Brooke Mangler’s move from second base to third has helped solidify Warren’s defense.
“We have to play clean games,” Mangler said. “Sydney’s a great pitcher. She has really good movement. … Her rise ball and ability to keep hitters off balance is really good.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
