Lake Central Freshman Shines in Sectional Championship

Lake Central’s freshman pitcher, Addy Mikolanis, has made her presence felt on the varsity stage. She has appeared in two varsity games this season, both against Crown Point. Her latest outing came during the Class 4A Lake Central Sectional championship game.

Mikolanis spoke about her experience, expressing appreciation for being part of such a significant game. “It actually felt nice just to be in that environment,” Mikolanis said. She highlighted the strong support from her teammates, particularly noting how they had her back throughout the match. “The defense had my back the whole time,” she added, emphasizing the reassurance provided by her teammates.

In the championship game, Mikolanis delivered an impressive performance. She pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and a walk while striking out two. Her efforts contributed to her team’s 3-1 victory over defending state champions Crown Point.

Lake Central, ranked No. 1 in the state coaches poll, stands with an impressive record of 27-2 and is slated to play at Hobart in a regional match. During the regular season, Lake Central had managed to defeat Crown Point in two conference games. However, similar victories in the past did not guarantee success as Crown Point had claimed the sectional title last year.

Yvette Tovar, coach of Lake Central, expressed confidence in Mikolanis, noting her previous pitching experience both on the JV team and during the offseason. “I feel like she’s kind of our dark horse this season,” Tovar stated, describing Mikolanis as a valuable player for important games like the sectional final.

“She played a lot of JV ball. She was a floater the whole season. We’ve seen her pitch in the offseason. We’ve seen her pitch on JV. Then she held it down against Crown Point for four innings,” Tovar said.

Senior third baseman Tegan Tripp, a Virginia Tech recruit, praised Mikolanis for her confidence and performance. “I know she was a little bit nervous, but she went in there, and she was confident in what she could do,” Tripp remarked. He noted Mikolanis’s ability to keep composure and contribute effectively to the game without relying solely on strikeouts.

Lake Central had another standout performance from freshman Colbie Tressel, who started the game against Crown Point. Tressel allowed one run in two innings before passing the baton to Mikolanis. “Letting me get the start in this really meant a lot,” Tressel observed about the trust placed in her by the coach.

Despite having junior ace Maddie Such available, Coach Tovar relied on her freshmen pitchers during the game. “She’s started a lot of high-profile games this season, so I had the confidence of putting her in,” Tovar noted referring to Tressel. The team demonstrated depth as Such was ready to step in if needed yet was not called upon, underlining the trust in Mikolanis and Tressel.

Madi Wainwright, the team’s catcher, played a motivational role, encouraging Mikolanis during the game. Such had been instrumental in instilling confidence and supporting her younger teammates through guidance and sharing her own experiences. The team’s success in the game showcased strong leadership and teamwork.

Coach Tovar commended the freshmen’s ability to handle pressure situations. “Lo and behold, my two freshmen held it down,” Tovar said, highlighting the importance of their contribution to Lake Central’s victory.