Sequoits slam their way to D-117 crown
Samie Seamon slugged.
Smiling Samie Seamon skied.
As the jubilant junior rounded third base after hitting her long-overdue first homer of the season, the raised hand of Antioch third-base coach/head coach Jeff Tylka awaited her.
Tylka's tall - 6 feet 3. Seamon's small - 5-2.
Without breaking stride, however, Seamon jumped and easily slapped Tylka's hand.
"He always makes fun of me because I'm short," Seamon said.
On Saturday, Seamon and all of her teammates stood tall. Antioch won the inaugural District 117 Invitational by winning all four of its games to remain undefeated on the season. Seamon, Allie Anttila and Ashley Mysliwiec all homered, and Olivia Duehr pitched a 2-hitter with 10 strikeouts, as the Sequoits shut out visiting Lakes 7-0 in the championship game.
"They're stout," said Lakes coach Bill Hamill, whose Eagles served as co-host of the eight-team invite.
In improving to 10-0, Antioch defeated Johnsburg (6-2), Richmond-Burton (14-0) and Addison Trail (12-1) before facing Lakes.
Antioch broke out in the championship game by scoring 4 runs in the third off Eagles starter Devin Ksioszk. Seamon doubled in the first run, and one out later scored on a single by Duehr. Ashley Mysliwiec then roped a 2-run homer over the fence in center field.
With two out in the fourth, Seamon got a letter-high pitch and launched it over the fence in left. It was her first homer, after hitting 3 last year in her second varsity season.
"Oh, man, I was so happy I hit that," Seamon said. "I've been waiting for one."
Tylka couldn't resist teasing her as she circled the bases.
"She's swung at a lot of pitches a little high this year," he said. "I keep making fun of her. I'm like, 'You're only 5-2. You got to get balls that are down.' When she gets them when they're down, she's a great hitter."
After Seamon's shot, Allie Anttila stepped up and homered too.
Back-to-back jacks.
"It was awesome," Seamon said. "She's one of my best friends."
Duehr and Hannah Vandevoorde each went 3-for-3. The only hits Duehr allowed were singles to Maddie Riordan and Megan Massie.
While Antioch started its day by beating Johnsburg, the Sequoits were disappointed that they didn't get to face Dayton-bound pitcher Amanda Daly, who ended their season the last two years.
Instead, Johnsburg threw Heather Matejka. Vandevoorde was 2-for-2 against Matejka to pace the Antioch offense.
"We were geared up for Daly," Tylka said.
Against Richmond-Burton, Duehr and Jamie Villalobos combined on a 5-inning no-hitter. Anttila was 4-for-4, while both Duehr (homer, double, 5 RBI) and Mysliwiec went 3-for-4.
Antioch's win over Addison Trail saw Seamon go 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles. Duehr (3 RBI), Vandevoorde (2 RBI) and Lauren Moore (2 RBI) each had 2 hits, including a double.
Lakes (12-5) began the day by overcoming an early deficit to beat Grayslake Central 8-3.
"We started playing well at 9:45 (a.m.)," Hamill said. "It's too bad the game started at 9 o'clock."
The Eagles followed with victories over Highland Park (6-4) and Geneva (5-1). Naomi Tesar went a combined 6-for-8 in Lakes' first three games, then sat out the Antioch contest to rest her feet, which Hamill said were surgically repaired around Christmas break.
"Her bat is phenomenal right now," Hamill said. "She's hitting the ball really hard."
Jennifer Ignoffo had a single and 3 RBI against Grayslake Central. She then went 2-for-4 with a double against Highland Park and 2-for-4 with a triple and 2 RBI vs. Geneva.
"Ignoffo has been crushing the ball," Hamill said.
Lakes' 12 wins are one more than last season's total.
"We got another at least eight in us," Hamill said. "I want to be at 20."