Fenwick High School senior Sophie Stone’s favorite softball memory came in a big spot during her sophomore year.
“In our [IHSA Class 3A] regional final against Trinity, we were losing by five in the top of the seventh inning,” she said. “We came back to tie and the game went to extra innings. In the top of the tenth, I hit a home run that won us the game. Nothing will ever top that for me.”
Stone also starred in the circle that day for the Friars, getting the victory in relief, pitching five scoreless innings.
This year, Stone has played an integral role in helping first-year head coach Valerie Jisa achieve moderate success as Fenwick enters this week with a 12-8 record. She has a .273 batting average with 12 RBI. In the circle, she’s 3-1 with a 2.32 earned-run average and has 92 strikeouts for the season.
“I feel the season’s been going all right; there are definitely some things to be worked on,” Stone said. “But compared to the last few years, I think this one is both a lot more competitive and enjoyable for everyone. We really just need to tighten up our play and get our offense in good shape to face some faster, more competitive pitching.”
On Senior Day May 11 against visiting Ridgewood, Stone had an outstanding performance in preparation for the upcoming postseason. She hit a first-inning grand slam and pitched a five-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts as Fenwick rolled to a 7-0 victory.
Here’s what else Stone, this week’s Student in the Spotlight, had to say:
Why Fenwick: “My parents wanted to give me the best opportunity for my future. Out of the schools I considered — Fenwick, Nazareth, and Trinity — Fenwick seemed to have the best opportunities, and I knew the most people going in.”
Transitioning to Coach Jisa: “I just think as a team our playing style meshes better with Coach Jisa’s coaching style. It’s been an enjoyable experience thus far, and all of the players have taken the switch very well.”
College plans: “I’m attending Oberlin College in the fall and, yes, I’m playing softball there. I don’t know yet what my major is, but I’m considering something like biology or marine biology.”
In her free time: “I enjoy writing, watching movies, making art, and listening to music.”
Favorite food: “Specific food would probably be blueberry pie. If we’re talking about cuisine, I’m a fan of Chinese food.”
Favorite music/TV show: “I like all sorts of music, but I’m particularly a fan of musical theater and show tunes, as well as indie/folk. TV show currently would probably be Good Omens or Our Flag Means Death.”
Famous person she’d like to meet: “I think I’d like to meet Barack Obama. He just seems so down-to-earth, especially considering the intensity of politics now, so I feel he would be someone very interesting to meet and have a conversation with.”
Biggest issue facing teenagers: “Despite the fact that mental health awareness is on an uptick, I would say that it’s the continued denial and ignoring of obvious problems … parents and adults seem continually ignorant of a lot of the problems plaguing kids, often blaming it on cellphone usage or something that becomes our fault. Problems are problems, and they can benefit from health, not blame.”
Three words that describe her: “Creative, unique, and passionate.”