Hawks all-state pitcher Natalie Vitek racked up an impressive 16-win season a year ago, while recording 172 strikeouts.
These are remarkable individual stats for a Minnesota high school softball pitcher, especially in a short, 24-game season. Her only losses last spring were against Chisago Lakes (twice), Superior and Proctor.
No question, her impressive play was worthy of all-state honors.
“It’s really a team award,” Vitek humbly said of the prestigious individual award.
Hermantown coach Michelle Sweeney said Vitek’s passion for the game and leadership is “infectious and inspiring.”
“You can always count on Natalie to give you 110-percent on the field,” said Sweeney. “She is an extremely hard worker and has dedicated a great deal of time and energy to improve her game. She is seeing results from her hard work and is a joy to coach.”
Vitek said she plans to continue her softball career a year from now at Kirkwood Community college in Cedar Rapids, IA.
In the meantime, she plans to make the most of her senior season with the Hawks.
How would Vitek define her pitching approach?
“I like to get ahead in the count and keep hitters off balance with a mix of moving rise and drop balls, including a decent changeup to bait the hook,” she said. “My fastball is usually about 61 (miles per hour), which is about on par with most of the hardest high school pitchers in the state.
“I trust our awesome defense, while trying to make hitters feel uncomfortable at the plate and forcing them to put the ball in play without getting a hard swing on it.”
Hermantown, which scrimmaged Big Lake, New Ulm and Blaine at the Eden Prairie dome last Saturday, is scheduled to open the 2023 season Friday at home against nonconference Esko.
“We went 1-1-1 in the scrimmages, when our hitting and outfield play was phenomenal,” said Vitek. “I threw about 12 innings, hitting 59-60 (on the radar) consistently with some good movement on my pitches.”
Vitek said she relies heavily on the strong play of sophomore catcher Mikayla Sweeney, a returning starter and one of the rising stars in the state.
“I have so much confidence in Mikayla, who is an excellent receiver with an elite arm,” said Vitek. “Whenever I throw it in the dirt, when my pitches are really moving, she’ll block it. She’s also an amazing hitter.”
Vitek said Hawks sophomore first baseman Claire Kaups also stood out in the scrimmages.
“Wow, this girl is really, really good, and can hit the ball with a lot of power,” said Vitek. “She’s great defensively and is an emerging superstar.”
Eighth-grade catcher Bryden Giesen also earned a lot of respect from her teammates with her strong play behind the plate and at the plate, Vitek said.
Junior outfielder Baylee Edwards, a returning starter, is also an emerging star.
“I have a lot of trust in Baylee’s ability to chase down fly balls in the outfield, and her hitting has really improved,” said Vitek.
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Coach Sweeney on the Hawks’ preseason workouts: “Practices have been going well. The girls are working hard and making the best out of the gym environment. We are trying to stay focused on what we can control, which is getting a little bit better every day because we certainly can't control the weather. We are looking forward to opening our season. Regardless of the weather, we are going to keep working hard and having fun. We have a great group of young women and it's fun to coach them.”