RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Sage Mardjetko was always fun and upbeat but her Beverly Bandits’ teammates found out how dedicated the ace right-hander really was.
“This past summer, her team competed in the (Illinois Class) 3A state championship on a Thursday night and right after the game her and her dad drove eight hours through the night, so she could be there for her travel team,” said Illinois-committed 1B Eileen Donahue, #54 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100. “She never complained one time on how tired she was or how sore her arm was.”
Beverly Bandits founder/coach Bill Conroy said Beverly Bandits 16U Premier-Conroy has an excellent pitching staff, but Mardjetko, #10 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100, who recently committed to South Carolina, has established herself as the team’s No. 1 pitcher.
“Sage is the absolute best teammate one could have,” Donahue said. “I’ve been playing with her for four years and I can tell you that she’s the first one to cheer you up when you’re down, celebrate a big hit/play and the loudest one in the dugout when you look back at film.
“I think what makes her unique is how she doesn’t show her emotions on the mound and has great stamina and is head strong. When she’s challenged, she doesn’t get rattled, she just switches gears and is always in control on her emotions. I’m so lucky to play with her and cannot wait to see what she accomplishes at South Carolina.”
Mardjetko is known for staying cool under pressure.
“Sage is one of my best friends on and off the field,” said Central Michigan-committed OF/1B Emma Lotus, #73 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100. “She is extremely competitive and one of the best teammates I’ve ever played with. One of my favorite things about Sage is you would never know if she was pitching the best games she’s ever pitched or the worst game she’s ever pitched because she is so well composed.”
“She is always the loudest in the dugout and is always cheering on her teammates. Any time someone is having a bad game, Sage is right there to pick them up and cheer her heart out for them. Not only is she an amazing pitcher, but she’s the best teammate you could ask for.”
New Lenox Lightning 2023 C/MIF Frankie Rita knows Mardjetko well, playing with her from 9-11 years old and again at Lemont High.
“She has worked so hard for everything she has and deserves everything that has come her way,” Rita said. “On the field, she is able to take charge of that mound and control the game with her crazy spin and accuracy. Her skill level is unmatched and she’s even helped me grow as a catcher. When we were younger, if I missed she’d leave me with a bruise to remember and I’d never do it again LOL! To date, I have never caught for anyone like her. She is a fierce competitor. There is no better feeling than the strike 3, last out to end a game and rushing over to hug her.”
“Being able to catch for her at a young age and see the way she has improved now during high school season is a blessing in disguise. Watching someone fulfill their own expectations of themselves and beyond is a sight worth seeing.”
“As crazy talented as she is, she brings so much light and joy to a team, which is so rare nowadays. She is someone you want to be around on and off the field. No matter how hard the team has to fight, if we’re up by 10 or down by 10, she will be the one who brings everyone together. What is so unique about her is that she is not only a great teammate, but a great friend that will be there for you. I am beyond proud of who she has become and the dreams she is fulfilling. She has worked so hard at her talent and she deserves every bit of praise and accolade she gets. South Carolina is so lucky to have her and I will definitely miss catching for her!”
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EXTRA STAR POWER Q&A
Name: SAGE MARDJETKO
Hometown: Lemont, IL
High School: Lemont High
Club Team: Beverly Bandits 16U Premier-Conroy
Graduation Year: 2023
Height: 5-foot-10
Position: Pitcher
Twitter: @MardjetkoSage
Honors: High Honor Roll; National Honors Society; member of PGF High School All-American Underclassmen Team; 1st Team All-Conference; and 3rd at PGF 16U Premier Nationals last summer.
High School Highlights/Stats: reached IHSA Illinois Class 3A finals last season; 1st Team All-Conference player; Team MVP; and batted .362 with 15 RBIs and 14 runs as a sophomore.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them?
My team is amazing. I love all of my teammates so much, they are my best friends. I started playing with the Bandits in 2018. Bill (Conroy) called my dad after my former travel team played the Bandits and was impressed with my pitching and wanted to find out more about me and if I was interested in playing for him.
What were some of the training methods and workouts you did to stay busy during the stay-at-home orders because of the coronoavirus situation?
I worked out every day with my sister, Rhea, to get stronger and to cure our boredom. I’m fortunate enough to have a bug enough basement to pitch at a full distance, so I spent a lot of time down there working and learning a drop ball. I was also able to still go to lessons with my coach, Nancy Evans.
*** Scroll down to read more about Sage including what she thinks about catchers and what the South Carolina Gamecocks had that she was looking for in a program…