Sophomore utility Jordyn McBride gets cuts in for reigning state champ St. Charles North. ‘Really is a blessing.'

Chicago Tribune

15-05-2025

Do you know me?
If it ever did, St. Charles North's Jordyn McBride shouldn't have that thought crossing her mind.
Coaches, teammates and opponents have become very much aware of the grounded sophomore designated player eight weeks into her debut season on the varsity.
'I think she has this, what's the phrase, high ceiling,' North Stars coach Tom Poulin said of McBride. 'She's got such potential, hits the ball so hard and is strong.'
First impressions are important.
'We gave her a pinch hit at West Chicago the first game of the year and she hit a triple that got out in a hurry,' Poulin said. 'Hit the top of the fence and she was around the bases in a flash.
'I remember on the bus ride back telling (assistant coach Thijs Dennison), 'Let's get her a couple more at-bats and see what she does.'
On Wednesday, McBride did again what she's been doing, teaming up with senior pitcher Paige Murray in a 6-0 win at crosstown rival St. Charles East that strengthens St. Charles North's hold on first place in the DuKane Conference.
McBride's three-hit day included a two-run double and two-run homer, her fifth of the season in her 19th appearance for the North Stars (19-5, 9-2), who have a two-game lead with three to play.
'It really is a blessing,' McBride said. 'Getting the opportunity to play with the upperclassmen on a state championship team made me want to push harder to get a starting spot.
'Just being with this team and coaches has pushed me to be the best I can be at this time.'
She's embracing a utility role, adding outfielder to catcher, second and third base from travel.
Murray, a pitching star in North's two state championship runs in the past three years, also hit a two-run double Wednesday and is batting .407. She threw a three-hitter with 13 strikeouts and one walk in shutting down the Saints (16-14, 5-6).
Senior center fielder Mackenzie Patterson, a Loyola recruit who came up to the varsity as a freshman like Murray, understands McBride's situation.
'It's an honor to make it on varsity, but coming from a travel team, it is hard going from playing every single game to having upperclassmen playing ahead of you,' Patterson said. 'You're thinking, 'Let me have a chance.'
'Jordyn has crawled her way into a spot and she's doing great. She has excelled in every single role coach Poulin has given her.'
Early in the season, Poulin figured she might help solidify the bottom of his batting order.
'She has forced us to notice her, keep her in the lineup and move her up,' said Poulin, who batted McBride fourth Wednesday. 'She's settling in right there in the heart of it.
'You look at the stats and she gets on base but she's driving in runs, is confident at the plate and doesn't chase and have bad at-bats.'
In 49 at-bats, McBride is hitting .388 with seven doubles and 21 RBIs, both tied for second on the team. She's second in home runs.
A multisport athlete since she was 4, McBride credited competitive gymnastics through age 13 for her strength. She still competes for the high school team.
Her focus shifted to softball after the family moved here from Wisconsin when she was in seventh grade.
'I've struggled with strikeouts,' McBride said. 'I have issues with being antsy at the plate so this game did help me with my mentality at the plate.'
Hitting a home run off Stanford recruit Elena Krause last weekend at Pontiac also helped.
'Gymnastics helps with my mental toughness, everything,' she said. 'As an individual sport, everything is on you and your work ethic. I get a balance of team picking you up and gymnastics, where you know how to pick yourself up.
'We're almost to the tournament so I have to get in the right mindset to have good, quality at-bats and not get over antsy.'