Beginning her pitching at an early age, Jillian Pagan has enjoyed being in the spotlight.

“I started pitching when I was about seven years old,” recalled Pagan. “I started pitching because I liked having the opportunity to be a leader for my team and I knew I had the potential to work hard and be the pitcher that my team needed.”

Pagan, a sophomore, has played a major part in the Zephyrs’ season. As of late in the season she was hitting over .300 and on the mound, Pagan, who pitches along with senior Morgan Laub, had thrown 12 innings with 24 strikeouts and has allowed eight hits and zero earned runs through the same period.

Head coach Jeff Vivian has been pleased with Pagan’s progress.

“She has earned every bit of this success,” beamed Vivian. “The first thing about Jillian is that her biggest progression is not the stats you see from the on the field play. It’s been her mental approach to the game. The change in that from her freshman year to her sophomore year is leaps and bounds better.

“I think that is directly related to the success you see on the field.”

Pagan has kept developing her repertoire, her flexibility, and her confidence. Jenn Shellhamer, her pitching coach, has certainly helped.

“I currently throw four different pitches while working on a fifth,” noted Pagan. “I play three different positions in the field, pitcher, left field, and first base.

“I started feeling most comfortable pitching in high school when I started to gain more speed, accuracy, and confidence in my abilities due to my hard work with my pitching coach.”

Pagan recalled her favorite game as being a nine-inning, complete-game, 4-3 victory over Parkland last year after the Zephyrs lost to them earlier in the season. She couldn’t pitch in the defeat due to an injury.

One of her most important keys has been her relationship with catcher Amya Espinal.

“My catcher definitely plays a humongous part in my pitching confidence,” beamed Pagan. “Knowing that I have a good glove behind the plate gives me the comfort and trust to be able to pitch the way I need to pitch for my team.”

Pagan likes her team’s chances ahead as they get ready for the District 11 playoffs.

“I see my Whitehall team with tons of potential and extraordinary athletic ability,” exclaimed Pagan. “I think we can go far.”

Vivian believes Pagan can reach another level this season.

“She knew what roles she wanted to play and fill for the team this year, and she went to work on achieving them,” boasted Vivian. “She had steady attendance at the pitcher-catcher workouts. She made the hitting sessions and the speed and agility sessions. She did it all to prepare her mind and body for this year and it translated into some great stats.”