When Warren’s final postgame huddle ended in right field at Barrington’s Field of Dreams complex on Tuesday night, sophomore shortstop Hannah Conger sought the comforting arms of a familiar teammate for an extended embrace.
Hailey Conger, a senior first baseman, inspired her to play softball years ago, and the sisters were full of emotions after their final game together in Warren uniforms.
“Seeing Hailey play made me really want to try softball out,” Hannah Conger said. “I would go to every one of her softball games and would watch her play.
“I started playing, I think, when I was 6 years. Ever since then, I really loved it and always played it because of her. I’m so thankful I got an opportunity to play with (Hailey). I’m going to miss it.”
The Congers played a vital role in Warren’s run to the Class 4A Barrington Supersectional, a run that ended in a 6-0 loss to the host Fillies late Tuesday night.
Barrington (33-5), ranked No. 5 in 4A in the Illinois Softball Coaches Association’s poll, had nine hits and advances to the state semifinals. They will play No. 1 Marist (30-5-1), the defending state champion, at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria at 3 p.m. Friday.
Hailey Conger, Sophia Furniss, Cynthia Mobile and Nicolle Peter each had one hit for the Blue Devils (24-8), who played in their first supersectional in five years. Junior pitcher Sydney Jackson took the loss.
Hailey Conger, a Butler recruit and the North Suburban Conference player of the year, left the game and didn’t return after suffering a knee injury in the top of the third inning. She tripped over third base on an infield grounder hit by her sister and tumbled to the ground, and a Barrington player tagged her out to end Warren’s scoring threat.
“(Hailey) is such a terrific player and one of the strongest players on their team, so that was a very unfortunate injury,” Barrington coach Perry Peterson said. “She has such a bright future ahead of her at the next step at Butler.”
Hailey Conger, who scored both of Warren’s runs on hits by Hannah Conger in a 2-1 win against Loyola in the sectional championship game on Saturday, was on crutches when she hugged her sister after the postgame meeting.
“It was just sad to see her on the ground after my hit,” Hannah Conger said. “I’m excited to carry on her legacy. She taught me to work hard and never give up. I’m going to play hard for her.”
Watching her struggle to find words, Warren coach Jenna Charbonneau added, “She’s tough. She’s a Conger.”
Hannah Conger joked that the only thing she can do better than her sister “is dive on the bases.”
But she made big strides in her second varsity season, Charbonneau said. She helped solidify the infield by moving from second base to shortstop.
“She’s done a great job in the three spot in the lineup,” Charbonneau said. “She’s able to make contact. She’s the best two-strike hitter I’ve ever seen. I know she’s going to come out there and make hard contact. I’m excited to see what she’ll do for the next two years.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.