Softball pitchers are usually loud, fiery and boisterous. They are the heartbeat of their team.
At 6-foot, lefty pitcher Savannah "SJ" Geurin is the quiet type. She's super sweet. Heck, she plays the flute in the band.
"I'm a quiet leader," she said. "Being easy-going helps me keep my cool no matter what happens during a game. Playing the flute is also so relaxing. It's not intense and it helps me take a break from everything around me."
Geurin has a lot going on around her. She committed to Oklahoma as an eighth-grader, plays for the Oklahoma Athletics in the showcase season and stars for TAPPS state power Fort Bend Christian Academy.
But she's just getting started.
Geurin was asked to try out for Lone Star Elite, a team made up of Texas high school players, that will scrimmage the USA Olympic team in April at Constellation Field – the home of the Sugar Land Skeeters.
"It's crazy to think I'll be on the same field with them," she said. "I've looked up to those women for so long. I can't wait to see how I do facing up against Keilani Ricketts and Monica Abbott."
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SJ Geurin has a pedigree. But she doesn't talk about it much.
Her mom Angela played and coached softball at Tulsa. Her dad Robert played football for the Hurricanes, while her grandfather played baseball at Texas Tech.
"I started off in dance," she laughed. "I broke my arm and that led to playing softball. My parents didn't want me to play softball but I brought home a rec softball flier when I was younger, and they thought, 'here we go'."
As a freshman, Geurin dominated on the mound for coach Kelly Carroll. The Eagles were headed to another TAPPS state title and…
"We were playing Bay Area Christian and I got hit in the head during the game," she said. "I got a concussion."
She was out for the rest of the playoffs as Lutheran South went on to win the title. FBCA finished third.
"I'm not a little freshman now," she said. "I'm quite surprised how many people know me as a top pitcher. It's really humbling. I don't think I'm really as good as people say I am. As far as FBCA, it's a state championship this year. I know how things work now."
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While she plays the flute, make no mistake -- she is a softball savant.
She practices all the time. She pitches in the driveway. She admits that she's pitched in the snow.
"I love softball," he said. "Like, I love it. I love watching it. My favorite thing to do is to keep the books. Pitching charts are the best.
"I love pitching. I love being in control of the game. I love knowing that I'm doing something on every play. Being a pitcher never gets boring."
SJ Geurin is a beast on the mound. Yes, she's quiet. Yes, she might be a little shy, but don't take that as a sign of weakness.
She might be the best pitcher in the state of Texas… as a sophomore.
Graphic by Stephen Peters
