Gunnison’s Bacalis has the steady glove as Cowboys head to softball postseason

Maddy Bacalis makes a play behind the plate.

GHS catcher Maddy Bacalis has been a leader behind the plate since her sophomore season. As the senior backstop, Bacalis is involved on every defensive play — which is how she likes it.

“I don’t know when and how I got into catching,” Bacalis said. “But I decided I wanted to be part of every play. I wanted to do something that involved me every time. I fell in love with catching.

I see the entire field and I love to communicate to the other fielders. A lot of things rely on the calls I make and I love that responsibility.”

Bacalis will play a crucial role in the Cowboys postseason run. GHS finished the regular season with a 7-3 record across the final 10 games. The girls earned a No. 19 ranking in the CHSAA bracket, and will take on the No. 14 Alamosa Mean Moose in the first round on Oct. 18. The winner will play the champion of No. 3 SE Colorado and Florence. All games will take place at Wiley High School in Prowers County. 

Although Bacalis said three straight years crouching behind the plate have been hard on the knees, she’s relished the grind, the dirty uniform, the bruises and the rugged nature of the position.

“They call me Pig Pen,” Bacalis said “My mom is tired of washing my white pants. I’ve gone through two pairs of pants this season that have been ripped up.”

Alongside pitcher Reese Japuntich, the junior pitcher and senior catcher have been batterymates all season. There were four games last week, which means the duo shared over 400 pitches.

“Maddy has been exceptional,” said Head Coach Leslie DiLorenzo. “She’s back there taking a beating, every time, making plays behind the plate and trying to help Reese find the zone.”