Lincoln-Way Central sophomore Audrey Hennings is one tough kid.
In softball, she’s rock solid behind the plate. In basketball, she’s a real scrapper who isn’t afraid to run into a wall for a loose ball.
She proved that in a very painful way.
“During basketball season, I fell into the wall and broke my left elbow,” Hennings said. “I saw it coming, but I couldn’t stop. I was out for about six weeks. It was pretty tough.”
She was as solid as a rock Thursday both catching and batting for the host Knights in a 7-1 win over Sandburg in a Class 4A Lincoln-Way Central Regional semifinal game in New Lenox.
Hennings went 2-for-4 with a run, stolen base and an RBI for the Knights (7-28). Jenna Lee hit a home run and pitched the win, while Hope Davis and Bridget Barz each contributed two hits.
More Top Picks Best Gym Bags For Men
Samira Matarieh led Sandburg (19-15) with two hits and an RBI. Olivia Miele added a double.
Hennings, meanwhile, singled and scored the first run for Lincoln-Way Central in the top of third inning. Her single in the fourth drove in Juno Lundquist.
“It felt great,” Hennings said. “I was really nervous before the game. My emotions were through the roof. Getting that first one sets the tone for the rest of the game.
“As the leadoff batter, I have to set that tone and do what’s good for my team.”
Hennings comes from a tough family as well. Her brother, Aiden, is a senior defensive lineman at Lincoln-Way Central who has committed to Drake.
Audrey is standing tall after some pretty rough hits herself. Her adversity didn’t end with basketball season.
During a WJOL Tournament game on April 1, she was hit by a pitch on the same elbow in the same spot.
“After it happened, it filled up with fluid because the fracture wasn’t fully healed, so I was out for another four weeks,” Hennings said. “I was pretty frustrated. I really wanted to play.
“When that happened, I was kind of down. But when I got back, I got pretty happy. There was a lot of excitement.”
And a lot of production.
For the season, Hennings is hitting .403 with 16 runs and 10 stolen bases.
Lincoln-Way Central coach Jeff Tarala admires more than her numbers.
“She’s a tough kid with a great attitude,” Tarala said. “In a good way, she gets ticked off when she gets out. She’s very intense. She’s an athlete back there behind the plate. She can throw the ball, and she’s quick to get out on bunts.
“Up at the plate, she’s something we haven’t had in the past. That kind of slapper with speed who has a gritty type of attitude.”
She’s a favorite when Lee is in the circle.
“I get so excited when I get to pitch with Audrey,” Lee said. “We work really well together. I feel way less tense. She just understands me.
“We have that connection where she knows where I’m going to throw. She sets up where I need to be set up for. We always have a little talk before we go up to the plate. It’s motivational to know that we have each other’s backs.”
They do disagree on one point. When Hennings said she was nervous before the game against Sandburg, Lee broke into a smile.
She knew better.
“Audrey … she acts like she’s so nervous and all scared to play,” Lee said. “Then she comes out and she’s the most confident one on the field. I never look at her and think, ‘Oh, she’s scared.’
More Top Picks Best Eye Masks For Dry Eyes
“No matter what she shows, I know I can count on her at any moment. At the end of the day, I don’t think I have ever doubted Audrey.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.