Nobody said it would be easy, and Oswego sophomore Payton Hatzinger understands that.
Hatzinger faces a big challenge in following Iowa commit Kiyah Chavez as the starting catcher for the reigning Class 4A state champions. To say Chavez left big shoes to fill is an understatement.
Remember, Chavez struck out a mind-boggling one time over her final two seasons for the Panthers. Asked if she finds the task intimidating, Hatzinger sounded well-equipped to handle it.
“It’s definitely always there because Kiyah is an amazing person,” Hatzinger said. “I will say to everyone that she’s my idol. She works like no one I’ve ever known ever in my life.
“But I am my own person. I have to keep working to be the first Payton instead of the second Kiyah. That’s a really big thing I keep telling myself, just to have fun and trust the work I put in.”
Hatzinger did just that Monday, catching a two-hitter by best friend Adalynn Fugitt and providing support with her first career home run for the host Panthers in a 10-0 Southwest Prairie Conference win in five innings over crosstown rival Oswego East.
Fugitt struck out six and walked one for Oswego (9-7, 4-1). The sophomore right-hander helped her own cause with three doubles and two RBIs. Freshman third baseman Sophie Morland added three hits, while senior first baseman Betsy Jack had two hits and three RBIs.
Senior third baseman Carleigh Gregory produced a pair of singles for Oswego East (10-5, 2-3).
“The score does not reflect our capabilities against this team and what we were doing up to this point,” Oswego East coach Sarah Davies-Dymanus said. “It was not our hitting day.
“We couldn’t adjust to the breaking pitches that Adalynn was throwing, but I have confidence that next time we’re going to be ready for that.”
Junior righty Addyson Dunn, who started, trailed 2-0 in the fourth when Oswego broke it open with four runs with two outs, the rally starting with Hatzinger reaching on the first of two infield errors.
“I got really lucky on that one,” Hatzinger said of her missed pop-up.
Hatzinger also reached base on a fielder’s choice and scored three times, with her solo homer in the second inning extending the lead to 2-0.
“As soon as it came off the bat, I was hoping it might go out, but I was just booking my way down to first,” Hatzinger said. “I saw coach Annie (Scaramuzzi) smiling and pushing me on.
“I knew it was over the fence.”
Hatzinger, who played on the junior varsity last spring, has caught Fugitt for several years in travel.
“She was so loose, you could tell we were having a good time,” Hatzinger said. “The music was playing, the strikes were coming in and we were locked in. We’ve been close friends for a while.”
Fugitt confirmed she throws a lot of spin pitches and tries to mix up speeds while sharing duties in the circle with Purdue-bound senior righty Jaelynn Anthony.
“We work well off each other,” Fugitt said. “It’s a totally different look for hitters. Jaelynn is more of a whip release speed pitcher and I spin the ball a lot more.”
Hatzinger didn’t get to play on varsity with Chavez but got to know her in practice and during early morning weightlifting sessions the veteran backstop organized.
“That was a big privilege,” Hatzinger said. “You can still see those to this day. Kiyah has been a great mentor. I can ask her anything and she will help me out.”
The Chavez impact is real, according to Scaramuzzi.
“Kiyah was a special player and an inspiration to not only Payton but a lot of kids,” Scaramuzzi said. “She was one of those that set the standard for our program.
“Payton saw what it takes and wants to put in that work. It’s a reason she’s our starting catcher now.”
