More Top Picks Vacuum Mop Combo Mini
player ready...Aubrey Ultsch is back in the ninth spot in Antioch’s batting order, and that’s fine with her.
Ultsch, who hit ninth as a freshman two years ago, moved to sixth last season as the Sequoits advanced to the Class 3A state semifinals and won the third-place game. But the team has changed — for the better, she believes.
“This year our team chemistry is the strongest since I’ve been in high school,” she said. “Everyone says batting ninth is a double leadoff, so I got into it with that mentality. A lot of times I lead off innings.
“I’m not a big power hitter. I take a calm mindset and attack the ball to get on base to start rallies for the team. I love being in that position, and it leads to the top of the lineup.”
Ultsch provided the perfect example during the Carmel Sectional championship game on Friday. Her single to left field in the bottom of the fifth inning started a four-run rally that propelled top-seeded Antioch to a 5-1 win against third-seeded Wauconda.
The Sequoits (32-1), who beat their Northern Lake County Conference rival for the third time this season, will play Sycamore (28-10) in the Kaneland Supersectional at 4:30 p.m. Monday.
“It’s tough to beat anybody three times in a season,” Antioch coach Anthony Rocco said. “They knew us well and our strengths and weaknesses. We persevered and battled back. We had that huge inning.”
Wauconda coach Tim Orisek, whose team also lost to Antioch in the sectional final for the third straight year, noted Ultsch’s role in that fateful inning.
“You get through the top half of the order with that team, it gives you a chance,” Orisek said. “When they have the bottom half of the order getting on base, and then you have the top half of the lineup coming up, that’s kind of what we saw today.”
Ultsch was shifted back to the ninth spot in part to protect leadoff hitter Eden Echevarria, a Wisconsin recruit. Against Wauconda (27-10), Echevarria and junior ace Jacey Schuler followed Ultsch’s timely hit with home runs.
“Aubrey did unbelievable for us in the nine spot as a freshman,” Rocco said. “She tore it up. But last year we were a little bit weaker in the lineup, so she batted sixth for us. We talked before the season about needing someone to turn over the lineup to set up Eden more often, like we did two years ago.”
Ultsch’s plate discipline and unselfishness made her the ideal candidate, according to Rocco.
“Aubrey is the perfect kid,” he said. “She’s patient at the plate and looks to drive the ball hard. For us, she’s our second leadoff.”
Ultsch had two hits on Friday to push her batting average to .312. She has seven doubles, two home runs, 10 RBIs and 21 runs scored.
Echevarria had a double in addition to her home run, UIC recruit Emily Brecht had two hits and an RBI, and Sam Hillner was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
The Bulldogs managed just four hits against Schuler (18-1), a Michigan State recruit who struck out nine. Bryn Lucht homered in the first inning for Wauconda’s lone run.
“Jacey dialed it up when we needed it,” Rocco said.
So did Ultsch. Echevarria said she spoke with Ultsch about taking control of the game before the start of the fifth inning.
More Top Picks Best Aluminum Briefcases
“She got her first-pitch hit, and that fired me up,” Echevarria said. “I love the way she takes the role that she’s given and runs with it and never questions it. She’s all about playing for the team.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.