The 8-2 start for the Triton College softball team this season did not come right out of left field.
A combination of strong camaraderie among the core of talented sophomores and a smooth transition from longtime coach
Christina Christopher's tenure to successor
Ken Jurasz ensured the impressive beginnings amid a Florida road trip.
The winning atmosphere under Christopher was enhanced in a successful 2023 season in which
McKenzie Johnson became the team's strikeout ace pitcher while third baseman
Isabella Bruno established herself as a team leader who is now the Trojans' captain.
Jurasz, already a leader in his "day job" as a Chicago Fire Dept. captain, had served as an assistant on Christopher's staff five years ago, and now has Christopher as a volunteer assistant. The avenues of continuity at a community college were multifold.
"There's an expectation of the program -- it's a championship culture," said Jurasz, thankful his players established momentum from the season's first pitch. "There's a family tradition with Triton softball."
Jurasz also credits his assistant coaches:
Louis Rangel,
Taylor Lang and
Kersten Brayton for being "instrumental" in the team's strong start in Florida.
Waiting for the meat of the Trojans' schedule to commence amid the usual cold early spring weather, Jurasz knew he had the stability to build upon via 15 sophomores with some skilled freshman working their ways into key roles.
Regina Dominican alum Johnson is back to continue the tradition of dominant, whiff-queen pitching as the ace begun by predecessor Alyssa Stramaglia. "McKenzie's probably one of the top four pitchers in the region," said Jurasz. After her last pitch with Triton later this spring, Johnson will look for her next strikeout with Trinity Christian.
But Johnson can't pitch every single day. She had a capable 1-A starter in
Claire Stillwell last season, and that role will now be assumed by sophomore
Sophia Schmeglar, a Chicago Lincoln Park alum who transferred from Creighton. Schmeglar has rehabbed a shoulder injury, with Jurasz steadily increasing her pitch count as the season proceeds. Lefty freshman
Trinity Pratt is expected to work her way into a mainstay pitching role.
Lincoln Park product Bruno will be wizened counselor in the infield to freshman like namesake
Alyssa Bruno, who played for Jurasz on some strong Ridgewood High School teams, and the keystone combination of
Lea Martinez (a Leyden alum) and
Kaitlyn Hoffing, a Fenton product.
Leader of Triton's outfield is center fielder
Nikki Burke, whose leadoff talents Jurasz's said were instrumental in the season's hot start. "She's one of the top five center fielders I've ever coached," he said. "She's a five-tool player."
Jurasz's previous experience with Triton dovetailed with coaching some quality Guerin teams at the high school level simultaneously, with Christopher's blessing. His top Ridgewood team finished in fourth place in the state at Class 3-A.
Boosting Jurasz's new job was a player-by-player rundown by Christopher during the coaching transition.
"I learned a ton from Christina at the college level," he said. "The skills of the game, the defensive game, the speed of the game. It was valuable to both of us."
Two generations of Jurasz's have been involved in Triton softball. Daughter Hailey Jurasz played center field under Christopher.
Follow Triton Athletics on TwitterÂ
@TritonTrojans1Â or on InstagramÂ
@Triton_College_Athletics
(Story by tritonathletics.com contributor George Castle)
Â
