Addison Gutschick is the ultimate example of stepping up to the plate. 

As Cheyenne Mountain softball’s only pitcher this season, Gutschick has had 25 starts and 25 complete games for a total of 155 innings. She had 167 strikeouts and 2,725 pitches before the state tournament begins Friday. 

It’s rare to have one pitcher all season, but that’s what Gutschick did for the Red-Tailed Hawks in her senior year. 

“I didn’t think I was going to be able to do it,” said Gutschick, a team captain, said. “I knew it was going to be a lot, I didn’t know how I would feel, so it amazes me that I’m not in an incredible amount of pain and mentally still want to pitch this last week. It’s still fun to me, I haven’t burnt out and that’s super surprising.

“It’s sad ’cause it’s the last year with the girls but it’s also cool that this is the way I go out.”

The senior’s role as a lone pitcher was unplanned, but she took it in stride. 

“She’s been a workhorse for us,” coach Kelly Cornejo said. “She accepted the adversity and handled it with grace and strength and I couldn’t ask for a better player to take on that responsibility. She has led as a team captain and shows the younger girls what it takes to play selfless ball and play for your team.” 

To get through the physical challenge of pitching a full season, Gutschick stretches and ices often and stays in tune with her body to seek help when needed. As far as the mental aspect, she focuses on having a positive mindset. 

“I tell myself, ‘it’s just a game, we are just here to play softball and have fun,’” Gutschick said. “I try to keep that positive mindset to know my strengths and weaknesses as a pitcher and work through those. I try to pitch my best every game but also know that not every game will go my way.”

One of the hardest parts of the job is knowing she doesn’t have a backup, but while that adds some extra pressure, she finds comfort in knowing her team is there to back her up. 

“This group of girls have all been super supportive and kind and we’ve grown a lot together,” senior catcher and fellow captain Abbi Houger said. “She’s doing really well with it. It’s hard for her sometimes but she takes care of her body and it helps having us there to support her. She works hard for each and every one of us.”

“I love how my teammates back me up and let me complain now and again,” Gutschick adds with a laugh. “I can see their want (to succeed) for it, which makes me want it so much more. I can see it all over them and I use it to pitch well and want to pitch for my team, not just myself.”

Besides her teammates, Gutschick’s love and passion for the game has kept her from burning out. She plays year-round softball and hopes to play at the college level. 

“Her passion to get better at the game has been great for us; she is super coachable,” Cornejo said. “She is open to learning and knows she can always get better. As she’s gotten older, her mindset has changed in understanding the importance of playing for each other and trusting everyone around you. She has grown in that aspect and embraced it really well.”

No. 9 Cheyenne Mountain is 19-6 and will face No. 8 Severance in the first round of state Friday.

While several aspects of the team have come together to get them to state for the second year in a row, Cornejo says Gutschick is the foundation of their success this season. 

“We have other girls that step up, but her pressure of always having to step up on the mound and knowing there is no one to back it up, and her willingness to do it, has been a big part of our success,” Cornejo said. “We have rallied together, knowing we have one pitcher and have started to play for each other, not just ourselves.”

Gutschick is not quite done on the mound, but she is proud of the number of pitches she has thrown and how she has handled that challenge.

“This season it’s important to give myself grace,” Gutschick said. “Every game can’t go my way, but not a lot of teams have one pitcher, so I’m proud of myself for staying humble and just knowing it’s a good accomplishment.”