Senior catcher Hailey Webb is the veteran in Antioch’s dynamic duo.
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The Appalachian State recruit relies on her experience in numerous big games — in high school and travel softball — to help the young Sequoits.
Meanwhile, her battery mate, star freshman pitcher Jacey Schuler, is navigating her first season playing high-level varsity softball.
With the Sequoits riding an 11-game winning streak, the Webb-Schuler combination is the backbone of the team’s success this season.
Schuler (20-3) saved one of her best career outings for Antioch’s pivotal Northern Lake County Conference game at Grayslake North on Tuesday. She tossed a complete-game one-hitter, striking out 14, in a 1-0 victory.
“She’s a really good player and not afraid of tough situations,” Webb said. “She’s really good under pressure, which good pitchers have. She’s not afraid of big situations.
“This win means a lot because basically conference was on the line. Everyone was all hyped, and we played them a close game before, so everyone came out ready to play. We’ve been up for every game. Every game counts, and we’ve been hyped for every game.”
The Sequoits (27-5, 10-2) are among three teams vying for the top spot in the conference. The Knights (18-6, 9-2) and Wauconda (18-5, 10-2) also are in the mix. Grayslake North is the only team with a remaining conference game, playing Grant on Friday.
Schuler said all of her pitches — fastball, change-up, rise ball, screwball and drop curve — were working against the Knights.
“This was one of my best performances,” she said.
Certa rises to the occasion: Grayslake North junior pitcher Gianna Certa said she enjoyed competing against Schuler.
In a game featuring two of the top pitchers in Lake County, Certa allowed seven hits but gave up a game-winning, run-scoring single in the top of the seventh inning.
Certa (14-2) has a chance for payback in the playoffs. The teams are aligned to meet in a Class 3A sectional semifinal on June 8.
“It was a great pitchers’ battle, and it was fun,” Certa said. “(Antioch’s) a tough team, so doing well against them is good. We have to get our offense going and battle every game and every pitch.”
Grayslake North coach Amanda Rodriguez said she’s “excited” about the postseason.
“I think we’re doing well,” she said. “Gianna has been amazing. She walks someone, and it doesn’t even faze her. She commands the mound. I think we can go far in the playoffs and think (Antioch) is going to be our toughest competition.”
Tough luck for Wauconda: Wauconda’s season took a big hit last week when sophomore shortstop Liv Romer suffered an ACL injury.
In 14 games, Romer hit .540 (27 for 50) with 10 doubles, six home runs, 17 RBIs and 27 runs. Her consistent hitting and steady defense were staples for the Bulldogs.
Sophomore second baseman Lia Taglia shifted to shortstop, while sophomore Savannah Powers went to second base.
Taglia has hit .429 in the past eight games and is playing solid defense at short.
“Liv is tough, and she’ll be back stronger than before the injury,” Wauconda coach Tim Orisek said. “Our success this season has been from the entire team stepping up and filling roles when others have gone down with injuries.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
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