It was in fourth grade when seniors Alena Marovitz and Jenny McTague first found themselves in the same dugout.

Eight years later, the co-captains have won three regional championships in three seasons and are down to one last year to add to their career achievements.

Though Marovitz and McTague played together on the Northbrook Spartans, a local travel team, throughout their childhood, the two split up to play on separate teams when they were 14 years old. Marovitz left to play for the Illinois Chill, a full-time travel team, while McTague went to play for the Chicago Fireworks.

For Marovitz, it was a tough decision to move teams. The difficult part was leaving behind so many of her friends that she had become close with, she said. One of whom was McTague.

The duo was reunited as members of the varsity softball team during their freshman year. As the only two freshmen on varsity at the time, Marovitz and McTague were asked to start by Head Coach Jenn Mau.

“Their caliber of play was already varsity material,” said Mau. “Their skills and athletic ability were ready for varsity. Anything less just wouldn’t have worked for them.”

According to McTague, it was more than just having another person she knew on the team that made her so happy. It was the fact that that person was a friend she had known for so long.

“[Marovitz] understands me,” said McTague. “She understands what’s going on in my head. Sometimes I put a little too much pressure on myself, and she’s able to settle me down.”

One of Marovitz’s best methods for calming McTague when catching for her is making her laugh. She remembers a story McTague told her once about how a man pronounced her last name completely wrong, pronouncing it ‘Mc-ta-gooey’.

“Every once in a while I’ll start off by saying to her, ‘So Mc-ta-gooey’ and then go on to say how none of the girls can hit her, and pretend that it is just her and me, and focus on my glove,” Marovitz said.

Now as seniors, both Marovitz and McTague, who were two of five Spartan softball players to be named to the all-conference team in 2012, are looked up to by the younger members of the team, said Mau.

“They’ve only experienced success, which causes their expectations to be so high,” said Mau. “I’m hoping it pulls everyone else up to their level.”

Against district rival Glenbrook South on April 4, Marovitz went 4-for-4 with a home run, a double and two singles, to follow up on her multi-home run game against Fremd  High School earlier that week. McTague reached base twice against GBS, hitting a double and a triple to help the Spartans win 6-5 in the eight-inning ball game. McTague also earned the win by pitching the entire game, allowing one earned run.

Despite playing together again in high school softball, Marovitz and McTague will be separated once more after this season, as the two are planning to play Division III softball at Amherst College and Lake Forest College, respectively.

“Both Jenny and Alena have the potential and the skills to be successful at the college level,” said Mau. “I’m excited to see their careers continue.”