By Laura Amato
Lizul Portugal does her best not to think when she steps into the batter’s box.
It isn’t always easy.
Every now and then the High School for Construction junior finds her task particularly difficult. After all, Portugal has a reputation at the plate. She’s a hitter, through and through, a player her teammates on the girls’ softball team look to for leadership and, perhaps more importantly, batting tips.
Portugal doesn’t like to think about all that.
Thinking leads to analyzing and analyzing leads to worrying and worrying does not lead to hits.
So, Portugal doesn’t think of anything when she steps up to the plate. Instead, she simply lets her instincts take over.
It’s worked pretty well for her this season.
“Every time I approach the plate, I’m pretty comfortable,” Portugal said. “I don’t want to be too anxious because I never get a good result that way. I try and stay calm, just go up and drive in someone. I don’t think too much. I just stay relaxed.”
Portugal, who has been on varsity throughout her high school career, wrapped up the regular season second in the Queens “A” division in hits, with 31, and first in RBIs, with 43.
The shortstop generally bats third, but she’s never too concerned with the order. She’s more concerned with who is on base and what she can do to get them home.
“I’m there to produce runs,” Portugal said. “It all changes in the game though because after that first bat, I’m not really the third hitter anymore. It depends on who gets on base and who’s hitting in front of me.”
Portugal’s presence at the plate has done more than just boost her numbers. The junior’s performance is a major reason why the Red Hawks posted a 14-1 record in league play and her ability to drive in runners helped the team average nearly 12 runs a game.
“The numbers are there, it’s just been a change in the little things,” Construction coach Marco Migliaccio said. “This year she’s just been great. Teams will try and pitch around her and she still finds a way to get hits. She’s just doing what she’s supposed to do. Without her, we’d be a totally different team.”
There’s certainly pressure on Portugal to produce. She knows it. Her teammates know it. Her opponents know it as well.
That hasn’t affected her approach.
Instead, when things start to get to be too much, Portugal gives herself a moment, wipes the metaphorical slate clean and steps back into the box. Then, usually, she drives in another run.
“If something does happen, like I take a really big cut and I miss, I’ll just step out and recollect myself,” she said. “Then I can analyze the situation that’s happening, like if there’s someone on base or not. Then I can just do what I have to do. “
Portugal has no plans to change her game in the playoffs. Construction is looking for its first PSAL “A” title since 2013 this year, but the team’s junior star isn’t thinking about that. After all, she tries not to think about anything.
“I can’t get too far ahead of myself,” she said. “Just take it easy and then after that, we can have some fun.”
