Stevenson coach Vera Pflugradt didn’t have to wait long to find out whether freshman Jasmine Lucero could handle varsity softball.
Opening the season as the Patriots’ starting shortstop, Lucero doubled and drove in two runs in her first game. But Pflugradt said she knew for sure in the team’s next game three days later.
“She hit a triple and slid into the base headfirst and was safe,” Pflugradt said. “She banged her hand on the ground in excitement. That’s the moment I knew I’ve got an athlete.”
Even Lucero recalls that was her welcome-to-varsity moment.
“I slammed the base because I felt really happy,” she said. “I was really proud of myself for all the work I did and that it paid off at that moment.”
Lucero said she wanted to prove herself.
“When I actually found out I was on the varsity team, I was really shocked,” she said. “I was really grateful to play on this level. I was really nervous, but I wanted to show I belonged on this team and that (the coaches) truly picked the right person.”
Lucero has erased any doubts. She has been stellar at short and is hitting .521 with 10 doubles, four triples, four home runs, six steals, 28 RBIs and 31 runs scored for the Patriots (14-9, 7-4), who have been competitive in the North Suburban Conference.
“She’s played awesome since coming up,” Pflugradt said. “She’s the only freshman on the team and has taken it and run with it. She has blended with the team and grown. She’s starting to get a voice now and is getting more comfortable.”
Lucero had three hits, three RBIs and three runs scored against Zion-Benton on April 16. Three days later, she had three hits, two RBIs and three runs scored against Lake Zurich. On April 27, she homered and hit a walk-off double to beat Schaumburg.
Lake Zurich coach Fred Valdez was impressed after two games against the Patriots. Lucero had six hits in eight at-bats with four RBIs and four runs scored against the Bears.
“She played good shortstop both games and plays well for a freshman,” Valdez said.
Lucero, who started the season batting ninth, has settled into the No. 2 spot in the order.
“Hitting definitely was way harder for me to adjust to (than fielding),” Lucero said. “I feel like I was trying to learn how to hit different pitches. The speed was definitely faster, which took me a while to adjust. I feel like playing (unbeaten) Mundelein a couple of times helped. Over the season, I’ve seen a lot of movement on pitches but got more comfortable with more practices.”
Lucero, who played for Stevenson’s freshman volleyball team in the fall, credits her work with her father, Joel, for her development as a hitter. Joel Lucero, who played baseball at Von Steuben, said he has been Jasmine’s hitting coach for nine years.
“We’ve worked on her form, bat speed, bat angle, and (taken) a lot of reps in the batting cage for her to play at this level,” Joel Lucero said. “We always go over video footage and talk about ways she can improve.”
Jasmine Lucero’s rapid rise can be attributed to her work ethic, according to her mother, Sarah.
“Jasmine has such a drive, and that’s something you can’t teach,” Sarah Lucero said. “She’s always been pretty intense, even when she was young. In everything she does, she strives for excellence. When she’s tired at the end of the day, she grinds. It’s something innate in her.”
Pflugradt said she expects Lucero to be a staple in her program for the next three years.
“She’s a rock star at shortstop and at the plate,” Pflugradt said. “I can’t get anything by her at shortstop when I hit to my team. She’s doing great in the field. She has skills. I’m really excited for her future and am looking forward to working with her.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
