Embrace the chase.
Kaitlyn Schofield and her Newark teammates have Peoria on their minds, and that’s understandable. The Norsemen return seven starters from a team that placed fourth in Class 1A last season.
It’s a group highlighted by a trio of pitchers — Schofield, fellow senior Taylor Kruser and junior Kodi Rizzo — who give Newark a staff as talented as any in the area, regardless of class.
“We’re looking to do just about the same, and hopefully better, this year,” Schofield said. “I think we’ve come out a little stronger than last year because we know everyone’s on our back and coming for us. We have a reputation this year.”
Schofield, whose father Tim coaches the team, received the nod Thursday and responded with a no-hitter in a 16-0 win over Rosary that ended after the top half of the fourth.
Kaitlyn Schofield struck out nine and allowed just one runner on a walk to the short-handed Royals (0-4), who are depleted by absences and injury.
“It gives all of us a chance to throw and then play other positions,” Rizzo said of the trio, who team up to cover second base and shortstop. “It really helps us build our game.
“Of course, when Kaitlyn throws a perfect game, well, perfect in my book, it’s fun to be out on the field with her.”
Rizzo, who won 10 games last year, hit her first home run of the season Thursday and added a single for Newark (5-0).
Schofield, who also won 10 games in 2022, produced a triple and two singles. Kruser, coming off nine wins, added a triple and a single.
“It’s our third year with a little bit of a rotation,” Tim Schofield said. “You get the versatility and you’re not hamstrung with just one pitcher out there. In a tight game, you need somebody else.
“After going through the batting order a third time, it’s good to be able to change it up. They all have a different best pitch, so it’s a good change of pace.”
Kaitlyn Schofield, a Cumberlands recruit, plans to major in exercise science at the NAIA school in Williamsburg, Kentucky. She wants to be a physical therapist.
All three consider themselves pitchers first but also excel at the plate and elsewhere on the field.
“Kaitlyn is a power pitcher, but she can also throw five pitches effectively,” Tim Schofield said. “She added a rise last summer. Kodi is a three-pitch pitcher and throws hard as well, but she has one of the best change-ups I’ve seen working as a coach.
“And Taylor throws three to four pitches, has a good change-up, nice screwball and a drop.”
Rest assured, Tim Schofield is well aware of his good fortune.
“It’s a rare occasion and we’re very fortunate,” he said. “I’m glad that all three get to experience this as you don’t want the pressure of being out there every day and having to be on every single day.
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“It’s high school. Go have fun.”
Rizzo said the trio pitched and hit against each other all winter.
“Just challenging each other to be better, and I think it shows on the field,” she said. “I like being the underdog going against bigger schools.”
Getting back to state is definitely the goal, Rizzo confirmed.
“We have the drive to do it, the talent to do it,” she said. “I think our goal last year was to get to state. This year, take it slower. If we get there, we want to place better than last year.”
Tim Schofield keeps preaching fun, though.
“These girls are hyper-focused, but they don’t need to put undue pressure on themselves,” he said. “I tell them to enjoy the game and play like when they were playing 12U.”
