Baranski gets right into swing of things as Saluki
Baranski gets right into swing of things as Saluki
It didn't take Susie Baranski long to make her mark on the Southern Illinois University softball team.
A true freshman on this year's Salukis squad, Baranski recently claimed the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week honor. In the Coach B Classic in early March, she posted a .692 batting average, with nine hits in 13 at bats over four games. She also scored four runs, drove in two and swiped two bases.
“I think I'm just seeing the ball well right now, and I'm reading the defense pretty well," Baranski told the Southwest Illinois News in an email interview. "I'm choosing when to bunt pretty well right now.”
According to SIU’s team stats, Baranski leads the team in hits, with 20, and runs, with 16, through the first 19 games of the season. Her batting average in that span was .339.
Baranski said the transition to college-level softball has gone pretty easily, especially after playing for the Beverly Bandits, which she called one of the best travel teams in the country. She posted a .430 or better batting average in each season with the Bandits. In 2015, she hit .520 with 12 doubles and drove in 35 runs.
At Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, she earned All-State honors twice and All-Area status three times. She holds the school’s single-season records in hits, doubles and runs.
Baranski said her earliest memories of softball include playing with the Crete Crush, where she was coached by her father.
“My two best friends at the time also had dads that were coaches, and we just had a lot of fun together,” she said. “I remember it being so laid back because we were pretty good, so all we did was have fun and enjoy the game we were given.”
Baranski said her favorite part of softball is that simple enjoyment.
“I'm not going be able to play the game forever, so I just make the most out of every game I get to play,” she said.
Baranski's mother attended SIU, so she already had one connection to the school. But she also made an instant bond with SIU head coach Kerri Blaylock.
“She is such a wonderful person,” she said. “I'm really grateful to have her. (Assistant coaches) Jen (Sewell) and Katie (Wagner) are also great people.”
Baranski said she does not have any goals through the first part of the schedule. Her focus is on the squad.
“I just want to help the team as much I can, whether that is at the plate or in the outfield,” she said.
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