Grace Swedarsky is the starting pitcher for the HSE Royals varsity Softball team. She has had two perfect games her sophomore year. While she is only a junior, she is looking to build off her earlier success. We asked Swedarsky how she feels about going into her junior year.
“I feel pretty confident going into my junior year.” Said Swedarsky, “With this being my 3rd year on varsity, I am even more comfortable with the flow of everything, and I am excited to be a leader on the team.”
“Grace has grown overall as an athlete and person.” Said Head Coach Emily Pusti, “We have seen her put work in the weight room and outside of practices to become stronger and faster. She is [as] incredibly intelligent as she is talented and so that plays a big role in her growth. She is also learning to operate well with those around her, trusting her teammates to help out and hold each other accountable to get their jobs done.”
Swedarsky got into softball because her mom used to play softball in high school. Naturally, Swedarsky followed in her mother’s footsteps and took up softball. She started in kindergarten and continues to grow and learn new and challenging skills in softball.
“I’ve loved it ever since,” said Swedarsky.
Even in high-pressure situations, Swedarsky rarely allows hitters to make solid contact. She had a 1.05 ERA for the 23-24 season and struck out 270 batters. She issued just 23 walks and did not allow a home run. In the Semi-State semifinals on June 6, 2024, the Royals faced the Carroll Chargers. No one hit off Swedarsky’s pitches, that eventually helped send the royals into the Semi-state championship.
“Honestly I was just glad that I was able to take some stress off of my teammates by not allowing any balls in play,” said Swedarsky.
Swedarsky is the 2024 MaxPreps Player of the year and a 2024 MaxPreps All American. Recently she got announced as a member of the IndyStar Softball preseason super team. The super team is made up of Central Indiana’s best players. In 2024, Swedarsky committed to Virginia Tech, where she will continue her softball career with the Hookies. We asked Pusti what legacy Grace will be leaving as a Royals softball player, to which she replied.
“Grace is one of many great athletes that shows in her own way what it means to be a Royal,” said Pusti.
