Senior Warrior
STRATTANVILLE — Taylor Hasychak’s smile was as bright as the sunshine that bathed the softball field at Clarion-Limestone High School.
It got even brighter as she was hoisted on the shoulders of her teammates in celebration.
The Moniteau softball team had just won its second consecutive District 9 Class AA title in an 11-1 victory over Karns City, and as the only senior on the roster, Hasychak was given a ride.
“That was definitely fun,” Hasychak said, still beaming after the game, and then getting a little choked up. “It was an awesome feeling. It was very special.”
That hasn’t been the only time Hasychak has been moved.
As a sophomore, she was an all-Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference pitcher.
But as a junior and with a huge influx of freshman talent — including pitcher Kennedy DeMatteis — Hasychak shifted from the circle to first base.
“I’d play where the team needed me,” Hasychak said. “Kennedy is definitely the better pitcher. I ended up falling in love with first base. I love that position.”
Hasychak has been a steady performer for the Warriors, who are loaded with young talent, as evidenced by their 40-2 record over the last two seasons.
She doesn’t say much. She just plays a solid first base and provides key at-bats at the bottom of the order.
Hasychak had a single and two RBI in the district title game win.
No one calls her Taylor or Hasychak, however. Everyone calls her “Nugget.”
The nickname was born when Hasychak was in the eighth grade and would always order chicken nuggets at post-game meals.
“It just took off from there,” Hasychak said, smiling.
Even her coach, Dan Beebe, calls her by her nickname.
“Nugget has been such a team player,” Beebe said. “Being a second-team all-conference pitcher as a sophomore, making the move for a younger class, a younger player to take over the pitching role. She’s been a great leader.”
Hasychak is planning on attending Gannon University to major in nursing and will not play softball.
That’s why she is clinging as hard as she can to her final season.
“I want to play as many games as I can,” she said, “because this is the last of it. I definitely feel they do look up to me. They definitely have the skill that I will never have.”
