Lake Central freshman Addy Mikolanis has made her impact felt in two varsity games this season. Both saw her face Crown Point, with the most recent being the Class 4A Lake Central Sectional championship game.
Mikolanis seemed unfazed by the challenge against top competitors. Reflecting on her performance, she said, ‘It felt nice to be in that environment. The defense had my back, and my teammates supported me throughout.’
In her latest outing, Mikolanis excelled. She pitched five scoreless innings, yielding just two hits and one walk while striking out two. Her effort helped Lake Central secure a narrow 3-1 victory over Crown Point, the reigning state champions.
Lake Central, boasting a 27-2 record and ranked first in the state coaches poll, will face Hobart in a regional match. During the regular season, they swept Duneland Athletic Conference games against second-ranked Crown Point.
Coach Yvette Tovar placed her trust in Mikolanis, who also delivered a solid four-inning performance earlier in the month against the same team. ‘She’s kind of our dark horse this season,’ Tovar noted, praising Mikolanis for her consistent contributions despite limited varsity experience.
‘Being a freshman, stepping into the circle with nerves is natural, but she handled it well,’ Tovar added.
Senior third baseman Tegan Tripp, destined for Virginia Tech, praised Mikolanis’ confidence and composure. ‘She might’ve been nervous, but she knew her defense was reliable,’ Tripp said. Tripp, who contributed with an RBI single and a solo homer, emphasized the team synergy that supported Mikolanis’ performance.
Initially, the game saw another freshman, Colbie Tressel, take the mound. Tressel allowed a single run over two innings before Mikolanis took over. Reflecting on her role, Tressel said, ‘Starting the game meant a lot to me, and the win meant everything.’ Tovar affirmed her confidence in Tressel, citing her experience in high-profile games and travel ball.
Junior ace Maddie Such, a Kentucky recruit, remained ready on standby. Tovar acknowledged Such’s leadership, saying, ‘She’s the captain of our pitchers, always ready and supportive of her teammates.’ Such’s seasoned experience provided valuable guidance to younger players, bolstering team confidence.
The combined efforts of Tressel and Mikolanis showcased promising talent and secured Lake Central’s triumph, distinctly contributing to the team’s regional aspirations.