With baseball and softball conference play wrapped up, Indian Creek, Hiawatha and Hinckley-Big Rock head into their respective regional rounds of the state playoffs.
Indian Creek softball (13-9) is riding the bats of Autumn Johanningsmeier, Jesika Lowe and Hailey Herrmann, hitting .392, .419 and .338, respectively. The Timberwolves got off to a slow start, losing six of their first seven games. Since that rough opening, the Timberwolves are a stellar 12-3 overall.
“They just worked through it,” Indian Creek coach Jeremy Lowe said. “They practiced, and we got them all hitting. Everyone got their confidence built up, and it started working really well.”
The Timberwolves won the Class 1A Shabbona Regional last season before getting bounced by Marquette, 3-0, in the first game of sectionals. Jeremy Lowe said that his definition of a successful postseason involves at least getting back to the regional championship game.
“We’re looking for a repeat,” Jeremy Lowe said. “Our bats have to show up. We need some quality hits that aren’t right to someone. If we can find the gaps, we got it.”
The Timberwolves will open regional play as the No. 7 seed in the Class 1A Somonauk Regional hosting No. 9-seeded Paw Paw at 4:30 p.m. Monday.
Across the athletic complex at Indian Creek High School, the baseball team has been putting up a nice season as well. Coach Kevin Poterek has his bunch on the right side of .500 (13-10-1) after finishing 8-16 last season.
“The guys who were freshmen and sophomores last season have stepped up and put up some really good numbers for us,” Poterek said. “They’re making plays and taking on leadership roles that are needed. ... I think if our defense can keep up with our offense and our pitching for three games, we will be fine.”
The Timberwolves start action in the Class 1A Hinckley-Big Rock Regional as the No. 3 seed. They will play No. 5-seeded Newark at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
Hinckley-Big Rock softball is in the midst of a rebuild under veteran coach Kristy Harrod. The Royals won only three games this year, but Harrod said she has seen growth over the season. The only thing Harrod said she expects is that every one of her players gives 100 percent at all times.
“You have to remember that we are a very young team with literally zero experience, even playing park district ball,” Harrod said. “If you look back through our scores, you can see games where we have given 100 percent and see games where we haven’t. Consistency is something you don’t get with a young and inexperienced team. ... If they give 100 percent, they will do just fine.”
No. 5-seeded Hinckley-Big Rock will play No. 4-seeded Willows Academy in the Class 1A Melrose Park Regional at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Hiawatha softball was in a similar situation last season. In 2017, it won only three games. This year, the team improved its record to 8-16 overall (4-12 in the Little Ten). Freshman pitcher Brooke Braden has been a bright spot for the Hawks this year.
Coach Mike Bottom said that she has an array that includes a fastball, change-up, curve and drop.
“[Braden] is really good with changing speeds and location,” Bottom said. “If we are going to make a run, it is going to be on her pitching.”
Bottom also said that his goal going into this season was to double last season’s win total.
“For a young team, we’ve done really well this year,” Bottom said. “We’ve still got a lot of growing to do, but with our young team, I was really happy with how they played this year.”
The No. 8-seeded Hawks will host No. 9-seeded Alden-Hebron in the Class 1A Alden-Hebron Regional at 4:30 p.m. Monday.
Hiawatha baseball also is much improved from where it was last year. After a 5-15 campaign in 2017, the Hawks are sitting at an even 10-10. At times, they have looked dominating, with strong starting pitching from Ethan Hoffman. Other times, they have looked pedestrian.
Coach Nathan Hoffman said that a successful regional would be making the championship game.
“Last year, we lost in the semifinals,” Nathan Hoffman said. “This year, we want to hit that regional championship game and give us a chance to win it. Our bats need to show up. We really haven’t been hitting lately. ... We need to put the bat on the ball and make them make plays.”
No. 4-seeded Hiawatha will play No. 6-seeded Harper in the Class 1A Aurora Christian Regional at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
Hinckley-Big Rock baseball (1-17) is at the end of coach Matt Olsen’s first season at the helm. Describing the Royals as a young team would be an understatement. Their squad has no senior on the roster. Olsen expects everyone back and to add a few freshman next year though.
“If we can go a full seven-inning game and be in the game the entire time, I think that is a victory for what we are trying to accomplish,” Olsen said. “Locating our pitches, playing defense well and having quality at-bats and not letting a big inning hit us. ...We’re competing.”
No. 7-seeded Hinckley-Big Rock opens the Class 1A Hinckley-Big Rock Regional with No. 2-seeded Somonauk at 4 p.m. Wednesday.