Sophomore catcher Chloe Jacklin is tasked with a bunch of responsibility for Mother McAuley.
Not only does she have to manage her pitching staff and position the infield, Jacklin works hard to keep herself — and everyone else on the team — cool when times turn tough.
It’s a lot, but in her second year on the varsity, Jacklin is handling things like a seasoned veteran.
“I think you just need to be an energy booster, kind of get everybody else into the game,” Jacklin said of her approach to every game. “Keep everybody engaged.”
Jacklin had that part down pat Friday afternoon in the first day of the Southside Showcase.
The Mighty Macs had to weather a rain delay and a slippery ball in a 15-12 victory over host Evergreen Park. Jacklin took care of the defensive part despite the less-than-favorable conditions.
Offensively, Jacklin went 5-for-5 with three singles, a double, a long home run and four RBIs for McAuley (3-9). It certainly met the expectations of Mighty Macs coach Caitlyn Migawa.
“She had been coming to camps, so we knew what we had with Chloe coming in,” Migawa said. “Last year, she started on JV because I thought that she might need a little bit of experience.
“About a quarter way through the season, we brought her up and she immediately made a difference. Right then, I knew Chloe was going to be here to stay.”
Mother McAuley’s Chloe Jacklin (20) prepares to throw to first base against Evergreen Park during the Southside Showcase in Evergreen Park on Friday, April 12, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Jacklin followed that up Saturday, hitting two home runs with three RBIs in a 13-3 loss to Andrew.
The Mustangs (4-6), who lost 17-14 Saturday to St. Ignatius, got a big day in Friday’s slugfest from junior left fielder Joie Burns, who went 4-for-4 with a run, three singles and a double.
Junior shortstop Sofie Panatera singled, doubled, homered, scored three runs and drove in two.
Jacklin, though, was the model of collectiveness, especially after that fifth-inning rain delay when gray clouds hung low overhead and the ball was wet. Junior relief pitcher Elizabeth Wood said that’s where Jacklin’s leadership really stood out.
“She more just asked me if I’m okay, if I needed a break,” Wood said. “Just like, ‘Take a second.’”
Evergreen Park’s Sofie Panatera (5) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Mother McAuley during the Southside Showcase in Evergreen Park on Friday, April 12, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Jacklin, a Mount Greenwood resident, has always been a catcher, since starting softball at age 8.
It’s not the easiest position to play, to say the least.
“I think the hardest part about it is the mental aspect of it,” she said. “Knowing you’re the head of the team and you have to keep everybody else calm and yourself and guide everybody else.”
Migawa said that hasn’t been a problem this season for Jacklin, who has been battling tightness underneath her right shoulder blade.
That’s not holding her back, and if anything, it has spurred her into a larger leadership role.
“Our team is young — we’ve got a lot of babies on our team,” Migawa said. “But Chloe does a good job of bringing them in. When Chloe is our leader, they’ll follow her.”
Mother McAuley’s Chloe Jacklin, left, talks with her pitcher Elizabeth Wood against Evergreen Park during the Southside Showcase in Evergreen Park on Friday, April 12, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
On top of that, Jacklin can’t get a little ornery when she needs to, especially as a hitter. That home run she hit Friday was a no-doubter, clearing the fence in the deepest part of center field.
“I just know when it feels like a good hit,” she said.
The advantage of being a sophomore is Jacklin has plenty of time to think about what softball, and life, will look like after high school.
In other words, there’s no hurry, so she can keep cool about that as well.
“I know I want to take it as far as I possibly can,” she said.
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
