Softball: Mundelein’s ‘magical’ season ends just shy of state championship
PEORIA — When Kieley Tomas singled and scored a run in the first inning of the Class 4A state championship softball game, the Mundelein senior center fielder felt good.
"When we got up 1-0, it felt great," Tomas said. "I thought we'd get more, but unfortunately, we didn't."
No, the Mustangs didn't. Playing in their first state championship game, they were blanked the rest of the way and fell 6-1 to Lincoln-Way West on Saturday at Louisville Slugger Stadium in Peoria.
Actually, both teams were making their first appearance in the state championship game. But it was the upstart Warriors (30-7), who had upset Marist 2-1 in a semifinal the day before, who emerged with the victory.
"Lincoln-Way West is a great hitting team," Tomas said. "Credit to them."
Indeed, the Warriors outhit Mundelein 10-5. Junior first baseman Kaylea Armstrong led the way for them by going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Senior center fielder Paige Seivert (2-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI) delivered the key hit, a two-out, two-run triple to right center for a 3-1 lead in the top of the fourth. She then scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-1.
Senior designated player Jess Noga also had two hits and an RBI for Lincoln-Way West, which is in its 17th season as a school and had never won a sectional before this season.
Senior Abby Brueggemann (24-5) got the win. She allowed no earned runs on five hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Senior Shae Johnson (20-4) took the loss, allowing the six earned runs on 10 hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
Tomas and junior second baseman Devin Hill had two hits, and sophomore catcher Avi Perez had a hit and coaxed the Mustangs' only walk of the game.
"We wanted it, but we just couldn't pull through at the key time," Hill said. "But there is no one else I'd want to do this with but this team. It was a great season."
Playing only three home games, all at the end of the season, Mundelein (23-6) still made it this far. The Mustangs' previous best finish was third in Class AA in 1994. They placed fourth in Class 4A two years ago.
"I think this season has been pretty magical," Mundelein coach Heather Ryan said. "We had most of our games on the road, but we battled. Shae pitched her guts out. We had all five of our seniors in the top five spots in the lineup.
"We were just so grateful to be here, and we had a great weekend. We wanted to get a better place than we did two years ago, and we did. We wanted happy tears at the end of everything, and that's what we got."
Yes, it was a season and journey to remember.
"These are my friends, on and off the field," Tomas said. "I loved having them behind me. We had a great friendship and a great season. This is something we can put down in the record books."