There are several clever — and maybe corny but catchy — phrases you can use to describe Lemont junior pitcher Sage Mardjetko.
You could call her “Super Sage.” Or “Strike ’em Out Sage.” Here’s a fun one: “The Marvelous Mardjetko.”
I didn’t put the South Carolina recruit on the spot and ask her if she had a favorite. But I did ask her to reflect on a highly impressive streak of pitching she has been on over the past several games.
Mardjetko hasn’t allowed a run since May 17, when Class 4A state finalist Marist scored once. Lemont won that game 2-1 on an eighth-inning home run by … who else? … “Sweet Swingin’ Sage.”
In her last outing, a 1-0 supersectional victory over Metamora, Mardjetko threw a perfect game. She had 15 strikeouts, running her season total to 304 in 128 2/3 innings. She will take a 49-inning shutout streak into this weekend’s state finals at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
Lemont (32-6) will play at 10 a.m. Friday in a state semifinal game against Antioch (29-3).
Mardjetko, indeed, is feeling pretty marvelous. And also pretty blessed.
“It is definitely something when you really look at it, you’re like, ‘Wow, that’s a lot of games and weeks of games,'” Mardjetko said. “It’s something nice to see, but it’s more than just me.
“Most people wouldn’t realize it just by looking at the number but it’s my defense helping me. They make ESPN Top 10 plays. It’s Frankie (Rita) behind the plate. Everything I’ve done great — it’s because of her.”
Lemont led Metamora on Raegan Duncan‘s home run when one of those plays resulted in the final out.
Sophomore shortstop Allison Pawlowicz chased down a soft fly ball to left field, made the catch and went tumbling to the ground after colliding with left fielder Nicole Pontrelli.
“We were all a little nervous,” Pawlowicz said. “Nicole and I were going for it, and I looked at her because I didn’t know if she would get it. Then I was like, ‘Oh, shoot.’ It was actually closer than I thought, so I went for it and got it.
“When I looked at my mitt, I was like, ‘Wow, I just caught this ball. We did it again. We’re going to state.'”
Pawlowicz certainly earned a tip of the cap from Mardjetko for preserving the perfect game.
“It was definitely super special,” Mardjetko said. “It just carries the momentum going to state, and I think it sends a message to other teams we’re really good and we’re going to compete with you, no matter who you are.”
Mardjetko saves her biggest props, however, for Rita.
The junior catcher has been an offensive leader for Lemont, hitting .421. She has 10 doubles, three home runs and 33 RBIs.
Behind the plate, she has thrown out eight would-be base stealers on 21 attempts. She has also picked off three runners.
Go ahead, get Sage started.
“Frankie has not gotten the recognition she deserves,” Mardjetko said. “Yeah, I’m the one that throws the pitches, but she’s the one with the mask on behind the plate framing the ball.
“And she knows when things aren’t working. She really helps me get through little pitching slumps I go through.”
Like there are really any of those.
“It’s just crazy,” Rita said, laughing. “Knowing she’s there and she’s working with me and for this team is just kind of crazy.
“I’ll call a pitch. She’ll throw it exactly where it needs to go. And say, the one out of 100 times where it doesn’t go her way, she either fixes it herself or asks me what’s going on.
“I’m just grateful I can be on the other side of such an amazing pitcher.”
Lemont coach Christine Traina is pretty grateful as well, especially with the accolades beginning to pile up. Mardjetko was just named the Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year.
“It’s hard to put into words,” Traina said. “To have both Sage and Frankie is just a blessing. Sage is just unbelievable. We thought she pitched a pretty good game in the sectional final against Marian Catholic.
“But there she was, that competitor, looking at herself and not feeling she did as well as she could have. To come back and do what she did in the supersectional … I keep saying over and over it’s fun to watch.”
It’s a must-see Friday, that’s for sure.
