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Modic pitches Poland to perfect AAC mark
By Joe Scalzo
HOWLAND
Standing on second base in the seventh inning of Monday’s game, Poland sophomore Jenna Modic clasped her hands together and, in a loud whisper, pleaded with Coach Reid Lamport to forgo a pinch runner.
“I LOVE running the bases,” she said afterward. “That’s just so fun. You get to mess with the other team.”
Although she’s not so good at the first part — Modic did stay in and eventually scored on an RBI single by Nicole White — she’s plenty good at the second, both on the mound and at the plate.
Modic took advantage of a rare pitching opportunity to toss a two-hitter in a 6-0 win over Howland (10-13, 2-6), helping the Bulldogs (23-1, 8-0) wrap up an undefeated season in the All-American Conference’s Red Tier.
Modic, who filled in for ace Erin Gabriel, faced just one batter over the minimum and also went 3-for-4 at the plate.
“To get the chance to come out against a good team in a big game, and to pitch the way I did, it feels unbelievable,” said Modic (8-1).
Added Lamport, “She pitched a great game. That’s what we needed from her.”
Junior Adriana Sikora also had two hits for the Bulldogs, while Gabriel singled and walked.
As freshmen last year, Modic and Gabriel (15-0) were the two best players on Poland’s Division II regional finalist team. A year later, they’re still the two best players on a team ranked second in the state.
“For me, I feel like I’m lucky to catch and be around people at their skill level,” said Poland catcher Megan Hirschbeck. “They’ve made me better as a catcher and they both have such a good work ethic.
“When they’re out there pitching and they just get into that rhythm, it’s hard for us to not come out winning games. As long as we get them a few runs, it’s almost impossible for us to lose.”
Modic, who usually plays third base, has already received offers from Ohio University and Morehead State, both Division I programs.
Gabriel, who was recently scouted by UCLA, was the only Ohioan selected for the USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team.
“We were nervous coming in as freshman, obviously, because high school is just a whole different ballgame,” said Modic. “But we face the top teams in the country during the summer, so we were prepared.
“And softball, I mean, this is what I do. This is all I do. When I’m out on the field, I’m definitely a completely different person.”
The Bulldogs are ranked behind Greenville in the latest state poll. Their lone loss was to Pickerington Central, which is ranked fifth in Division I.
Their youth is offset by a talented senior class, which features four starters, including Hirschbeck. That five-player class won state titles at 10 and 12 years old and the underclassmen won multiple state titles.
With five sophomore starters, it’s not exactly now or never for all of Poland’s players, but there’s a sense of urgency among the seniors.
“We have so much potential,” said Hirschbeck. “As long as we keep doing what we’re supposed to and do what we know how to do, I think that without a doubt we can do it.”