Junior third baseman Julianna Kouba has settled in at the hot corner for St. Charles North, but she’s pretty chill and cool as the proverbial cucumber in pressure situations.
Experience helps and Kouba — along with junior shortstop Ella Heimbuch, a Wisconsin recruit, and Notre Dame-bound junior center fielder Faith Maleski — has plenty.
All three were freshman starters in 2024 when the North Stars won the Class 4A state title.
“It’s probably one of the most exciting and amazing experiences I’ve had in my entire life and I want everyone on this team to have that,” Kouba said. “It starts with the mindset of just have fun.
“That’s my mindset. Have it and you’ll make memories that last a lifetime.”
The journey begins next week with the start of the playoffs, but Kouba and Co. cleared a preliminary hurdle, capturing the DuKane Conference title with an 8-1 victory over Lake Park.
Kouba did her part Wednesday for the North Stars (21-2, 12-2), backing up winning pitcher Abby Zawadzki with two doubles and a single and regaining the team lead for hits with 37.
While Kouba also boosted her batting average to .440, Lake Park (21-8, 9-4) was unable to take advantage of a rare, shaky defensive effort from St. Charles North that featured five errors.
The North Stars overcame those miscues with the help of two doubles and six two-out RBIs, avoiding a three-way tie for first place with St. Charles East (26-8, 11-3) and possibly the Lancers.
“This one is outright,” said St. Charles North coach Tom Poulin, whose team tied for the title with Glenbard North last season and did not win the conference in 2024. “Yeah, we won state but not our conference. That’s how tough this league is.
“We lost to Glenbard North twice last year, so to me, they won it. We both got a plaque, though, because the bylaws have no provision for head-to-head stuff, just overall record.”
As Kouba confirmed afterward, “This is a huge accomplishment.”
Zawadzki threw a four-hitter and helped her cause by hitting a team-best 10th homer of the season, a two-run shot to right-center in the bottom of the first for a lead she never relinquished.
It also gave Zawadzki, who said her fitness level is much better this season, a team-high 42 RBIs.
“I’ve worked hard training all fall and winter at Invictus Health and Recovery in Geneva,” she said.
Maleski and sophomore second baseman Sienna Woodmancy added two hits apiece to boost the North Stars’ 12-hit attack.
Kouba, who is mulling multiple Division I scholarship offers, has five homers and 30 RBIs. She has been enjoying life at third base.
“I would say that’s my primary position,” she said. “But I feel like I’m available to play anywhere they need me at any point.”
She has played multiple positions in travel with the Dennison Silverhawks, where work with hitting coach Curt Carby helped provide a foundation for her strong offensive skills.
“I hang out everywhere in travel ball, mostly infield,” she said. “I can go to the outfield, but I feel like I have my role here at third. It’s a hot-shot place. There’s no time to really think about the plays you make, which I think is the big key to me.
“If you make an error, it’s quick, it’s gone, it’s over and you think about the next play right away.”
Poulin also has been impressed with Kouba’s work in the batter’s box. She has only struck out three times in 89 plate appearances.
“If you’re around the zone, she’s gonna hit it hard,” he said. “It’s very rare she puts the ball in play weakly and she doesn’t strike out. You can’t pitch around her.
“She’s gonna hit mistakes, works the count and knows the zone. She deserves the recognition.”
