Mundelein senior Kieley Tomas has built a record-breaking high school career based on consistency.
Tomas, a St. Thomas recruit, is a four-year starter in center field and in the leadoff spot.
“One thing about me is I don’t like making changes,” she said. “I like to do things I’m good at and to keep doing them. I don’t like to do a lot of things. I like to stick with what I know and what I can do.”
One thing Tomas can do like few others is start rallies. When the top-seeded Mustangs trailed fourth-seeded Stevenson 1-0 with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning of a Class 4A Glenbrook North Sectional semifinal on Tuesday, she had a chance to do it again.
“Whenever Kieley is up to bat, I can take a breath because I know something is going to happen,” Mundelein coach Heather Ryan said. “She is either going to move a runner, get a hit up the middle or put down a bunt. She is an exciting player to watch.”
On cue, Tomas reached base on a bunt single off Stevenson senior pitcher Ava Potempa, stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored the tying run on senior pitcher Shae Johnson
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‘s single.Senior first baseman Shea Eaman then hit a triple to left-center field to plate the go-ahead run, and that was all Johnson needed to finish the Mustangs’ 2-1 win over their North Suburban Conference rival.
Mundelein (20-5), which reached the state semifinals in 2024, advances to a sectional championship game for the third straight season and will play second-seeded Glenbrook North or third-seeded Warren at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Johnson, the conference pitcher of the year who struck out 15, walked three and allowed just four hits to beat the Patriots (21-7) for the third time this season, was confident that Tomas would come through. Tomas entered the game batting .463 with 30 runs scored.
“When I see her come up to bat, I just know that no matter what happens, she will do something and put the ball in play,” Johnson said. “She’s going to be productive in her at-bat —just a nice feeling to have at the top of your order.
“When she got that ball down for a hit, I was so happy for her because I know she struggles off Ava a bit. Just seeing her get that hit, I was so happy for her. Kieley is an amazing player.”
Eaman also wasn’t surprised by Tomas, the Mustangs’ all-time leader in hits, a four-time all-conference pick and a two-time all-state pick by the Illinois Softball Coaches Association.
“She is truly the most hardest-working player that I know,” Eaman said. “She never has missed a morning hitting, comes early and stays late after practice.”
As a result, Tomas had the confidence to change her approach in that pivotal at-bat against Potempa, who allowed five hits in six innings.
“She has always beaten me,” Tomas said. “I hit the ball hard in my first two at-bats but just right to people.
“I tried to switch it up. My team needed me, so I had to do anything to get on base. I trusted myself with a bunt. I knew I had to steal a base and get in scoring position. It was huge.”
Tomas has been huge for the Mustangs throughout her high school career. Ryan said she’s one of the best players in team history.
“Kieley has a competitive edge you can’t coach,” Ryan said. “She is so competitive yet so confident in a humble way. Her game shows it.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.