Claire Podrebarac hits home run off Lemont's scoreboard. Surprise, surprise. ‘Didn't think that ball was going out.'

Chicago Tribune

09-04-2025

When Lemont's Claire Podrebarac was making noise on the grade school level and with her travel team, she went to watch the local high school softball team play a few games.
She got to see the 2022 and 2023 Class 3A state championship teams — led by Division I pitcher Sage Mardjetko — show off their skills. And she was a bit wide-eyed at what she observed.
'I was like, 'Oh, my, I don't know if I could ever get to that level,''' Podrebarac said. 'But I knew I was going to try.'
She's already reached that level. As a freshman.
In her home varsity debut, the rookie second baseman blasted two home runs, including one that hit the right field scoreboard, to lift Lemont to a 14-2 South Suburban Blue win over Tinley Park.
The five-inning game, which was moved due to field conditions, also featured Natalie Pacyga with three hits and two RBIs for host Lemont (4-2, 1-0). Jessica Pontrelli drove in two runs and Caroline Painter scored twice. Senior pitcher Sydney Kibbon (2-1) struck out eight and allowed three hits.
Loyola recruit Megan Piotrowski hit a two-run homer in the first inning for Tinley Park (3-5, 0-2). Emily Nuskiewicz added a double.
Lemont, however, batted around in a five-run third. Podrebarac led off with a home run off the scoreboard, which was put in last season. Alli Pawlowicz, now at Loyola, also did that last spring.
'I didn't think that ball was going out,' Podrebarac said.
For good measure, she then led off a seven-run sixth with a homer over the left field fence.
'I'm so proud and so happy for her,' Kibbon said of Podrebarac. 'It shows how much potential we have. She's a great aspect to the team and has so much to offer in team hitting and fielding.
'She did fantastic.'
Podrebarac is proud to be in the mix right away for Lemont, a young team with three freshmen and two sophomores on the roster.
'I was so excited to find out I was playing varsity,' she said. 'At first, I was a little nervous on what the girls would be like and I was scared I might not be accepted.
'But they have been great and I'm happy to be here.'
Lemont also is happy to be home after a spring trip that produced a 2-1 record in three games. The team also went to see Tennessee play and had the chance to reunite with Mardjetko, who's now pitching for the Volunteers after starting out at South Carolina.
In its first six games, Lemont has actually used four pitchers, including Podrebarac and fellow freshman Mila Mardjetko, Sage's younger sister.
Still, Lemont coach Christine Traina likes the experience and leadership Kibbon has displayed. Kibbon is going to Auburn and plans on staying with softball, although she won't be playing.
'I'm going to be a student-manager for the softball team,' Kibbon said. 'It's a different aspect of softball. I'll be doing front toss, hitting grounders, pitching in practice. I'm really excited for that.'
Podrebarac, meanwhile, is wasting little time making a great first impression at the school.
She was named a Student of the Month in November by the science department. She also played varsity basketball. And she opened the softball season hitting .571.
'She'll play second base and do a little pitching for us,' Traina said of Podrebarac. 'We looked at her and thought she could help us out on the varsity. We've known about her.
'We didn't see a lot of her before she came here, but it was good to have her walking in the door.'
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.