Schmiederer, Hersey steamroll Highland Park
Over the last two weeks, Hersey's Stacey Schmiederer has been a different person in the batter's box.
"I try not to think too much up there," she said. "I've just cleared my mind and go up there to get a hit."
Schmiederer got all kinds of hits Monday - a single, double and triple to be exact.
The senior designated player finished 3-for-4, reaching base all four times she batted with 3 RBI as Hersey stopped visiting Highland Park 14-1 in five innings.
Hersey pitchers Aubrey Fulton and Kristy Johnson threw a combined 2-hitter to catcher Danielle Becker in the play-in game for the Class 4A Highland Park regional.
No. 15-seeded Hersey (12-24) meets No. 2 Barrington (31-4) in today's 4:30 p.m. semifinal.
The Huskies' other multiple hitter was Haley Henriksen (3-for-4, 3 runs, RBI), while Kari Tunney and Melissa Cecala reached base. Taylor Reeves had an RBI double and Alyssa Kieffer a sacrifice fly.
"Stacey's bat is coming along," said Hersey coach Molly Freeman. "We challenged her to step up and she really has been hitting well.
"It feels good to get this win. Aubrey has been a little sore after getting hit on the back with the ball last week, so she went a few innings and Kristy finished up well. It was nice that we were able to get some other girls into the game who we brought up to the varsity."
Seniors Brett Bachmann and Jamie Mann had the only 2 hits for Highland Park (9-25) in the top of the fifth.
"Hersey really hit the ball well," said Giants coach Lydia Gonzalez, whose leading hitter, junior catcher Emily Tresley (. 500), has been sidelined for the final week and half with a sprained ankle. "We talked about the team that came ready to play would win, so good for Hersey."
Fremd regional: No. 16 Mundelein posted a 14-5 victory over No. 17 Wheeling in a play-in game on the Mustangs' diamond.
Freshman Sara Kern had a double, RBI and scored a run for the Wildcats (6-22).
Mundelein plays top-seeded Fremd (27-4) in today's 4:30 p.m. semifinal in Palatine.
Conant 3, Buffalo Grove 2: Winning pitcher Briana Cavin (14-11) struck out six batters for Conant (21-11) in the Mid-Suburban League crossover contest.
Kim Jacobson homered for the Cougars while teammates Allie Bauch and Cavin each went 2-for-4.
Bison pitcher Maria Dax (13-13) struck out two.
KC Dunne (2-for-4), Andrea DiPrima (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Kami Hutchings (double) led the Bison offense.