Even as an untested freshman, pitcher Brooke Gossett showed early in the season that she had the physical tools to be a factor for Vernon Hills.
Gossett had velocity, the ability to locate and a viable pitch mix. But whether she had the mental fortitude to handle the pressure of varsity softball was unknown.
“Right now, I’m pretty proud of myself because I didn’t think coming in as a freshman I would be this impactful for my team, but I’m happy I am,” Gossett said. “It’s really good to win, be part of this team and make things happen.
“I’m always trying to get better because I want to be the one who people depend on.”
Gossett has proved to be not only dependable but also resilient. On Friday, she wiggled out of a jam in the seventh inning of the Class 3A Vernon Hills Regional championship game to secure the second-seeded Cougars’ 4-2 win over seventh-seeded Lakes.
“She’s learning to work through adversity, and it’s good for her to develop a little grit, to fight through things,” Vernon Hills coach Jan Pauly said. “Games like this make her stronger, and she can build off them and develop.
“It’s a great experience, and I’m glad we ended up on the right side of the score.”
By doing so, the Cougars (23-8-1) won their first regional title since 2023 and will play fifth-seeded Wauconda (18-17) in an Antioch Sectional semifinal at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Gossett (14-5), who allowed just five hits and struck out 11 over seven innings, could tell something was different as the game got underway.
“I was feeling nervous at the start of the game,” she said. “But once I got the (first) three girls out, I started to feel more relieved and knew that my team had my back.”
Indeed, Gossett’s battery mate, junior catcher Annie Zbylut, hit a two-run double down the third-base line in the bottom of the first inning, giving the Cougars an early 2-0 lead.
“It got me to be able to take a breath and not worry as much,” Gossett said. “I was still worrying, just not as much.”
For much of the game, Gossett didn’t seem to be under duress at all. Until the seventh inning, junior catcher Zoey Christian’s solo home run in the top of the third was all the offense the Eagles (13-16) could muster.
But after Vernon Hills tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth on a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly, Lakes finally put pressure on Gossett in the seventh, starting the inning with a walk and a single.
Gossett had to dig deep to finish the job, and after a visit to the circle, she struck out the Eagles’ No. 3 hitter with the potential tying run in scoring position to end the game.
“Once I got runners on base, I had to take a deep breath and get right back to it,” she said. “It (the visit) gave me a little break and made me able to think more clearly and focus.”
Gossett, who entered the game with a 2.40 ERA, 179 strikeouts and just 20 walks in 125 innings, continues to impress Zbylut.
“When she gets deep in her counts or if it’s an at-bat with seven foul balls, she always finds a way to come through and mentally battle,” Zbylut said. “She’s a super hard worker who is always trying to get better, to mentally build and physically build.
“I have to give her what she gives me. She’s a great teammate, a great person and a great pitcher. I’m glad I get another year with her.”
Zbylut isn’t the only one. Gossett’s older sister, Gia, a junior, starts at third base, and Gossett’s twin sister, Brynne, starts at first base.
“I’ve been proud and excited for her because she’s done so well,” Gia Gossett said of Brooke. “I think that when she gets behind in the count, she doesn’t let it get to her. She makes herself calm down, focuses on the play at hand, and gets it done.
“Instead of getting in her head and stressing out, she’s just a really confident person. She’s determined and hard working, and it all shows on the field.”
That being said, Brooke Gossett has identified some areas where she believes she can improve to become even more effective in the years to come.
“Getting my mental game ready before the game is something I still want to work on,” she said. “I’ve worked on that, but it’s still something that is still a challenge to me. Normally, I can flush things pretty fast once the game is going on.”
For whatever comes, Gossett will have her sisters alongside her.
“They’re the best of friends,” Pauly said. “They support each other, they help each other and they’re great teammates to not just themselves but to everybody.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
