Softball: The secret of Hedgcock's success

Those who follow DuPage County softball are likely to be well aware of the success of the Downers Grove South High School program.

All the postseason accolades listed on signs posted at the Mustangs' field are evidence of the talent that has taken the field over the years.

The talent level is no different this spring. Downers South reached this weekend's Class 4A semifinals trying to make coach Ron Havelka's 25th and final season a memorable one.

Senior Caroline Hedgcock, the 2016 Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area Captain, was a major contributor to the Mustangs' success. But what was also crucial to Downers South's accomplishments were Hedgcock's and her teammates love of what they were doing.

“We have a tradition of coming out and playing our best. We work hard in the off-season and it shows in how we play in games,” she said. “We play our hardest and that contributes to our success. But it's not work for us.”

She said the Mustangs have had their eyes on state since the first preseason practice.

“Our goal is to win state. Before the season started we filled out individual and team goal sheets. All eyes are on the prize,” Hedgcock said.

In her final high school season she combined both excellence on the mound and at the plate. After the Mustangs (35-3) beat Sandburg in the Benedictine University supersectional, she was hitting over .500 with a school-record 22 home runs as the team's designated player. She was 13-0 this spring in the circle. Her efforts earned her the Illinois Softball Gatorade Player of the Year award, Downers South announced June 2.

“Caroline throws hard. She hits her spots and has good off-speed pitches. She always knows how to pitch to hitters. And she can hit,” said Downers Grove North coach Eric Landschoot after the Mustangs beat them 4-2 during June 2's Class 4A Plainfield East sectional semifinal. Hedgcock struck out 10 on the mound and homered in the game.

‘I love to play'

Hedgcock, who got her start in softball playing T-ball in the third grade with the Downers Grove Demons and current teammates Megan LoBianco and Nicole Bowman, said she plays softball to push her athletic abilities as far as they can go.

“I love to play. I love the feeling when you play a great game and that you left everything on the field. That's my favorite part,” she said.

Hedgcock was all-West Suburban Conference Gold Division all four seasons she played on varsity. And as an example of the Mustangs' dominance, one just has to look at what they achieved in the Gold. Hedgcock, along with teammates Kristen Bialek and Kristin Lea, who have also been on varsity all four years, endured just one conference loss during that time for a 47-1 record. This spring the team gave up just 3 runs in 12 league games.

Victories over defending Florida state champion Gainesville during the spring break trip to Florida for the Kissimmee Classic, and over Crown Point, Indiana, one of that state's top teams, were also moments to remember, according to Hedgcock.

“We were so excited to do do our best. We ended up beating the best of the best,” she said.

Havelka said he's seen Hedgcock progress steadily as a player from freshman year to the current season.

“She's grown incredibly both as a person and player. She is one of the most competitive players I've known,” he said. “She's worked extremely hard in the weight room the last couple of years.”

Hedgcock said Havelka has been absolutely crucial to the success the Mustangs have achieved.

“By far he is the most patient human being I have ever met. He's straightforward and is demanding. But he gives you the tools to achieve success,” she said. “I think he believes in us more than we do ourselves sometime.”

‘The all-around package'

This summer Hedgcock will return to her club team, the Illinois Chill, before heading to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville to continue playing softball. She had originally chosen the University of Maryland, but when coach Courtney Deifel left to go to Arkansas, Hedgcock also made the change.

“When I visited, I thought the culture dedicated to the student-athlete was nothing that I had ever seen. They have great facilities, the business school is amazing. It was really everything I wanted in a school,” she said.

Deifel likes the versatility that Hedgcock brings to the softball field.

“One of the first things to appeal to me immediately about Caroline was her presence and composure. I love the way she competes, not to mention that she's a hard-throwing left with an outstanding dropball and off-speed pitch that should suit her well at the next level,” Deifel said. “Mixed with a .500 batting average and more than 20 home runs this season against strong competition, she's the all-around package.”

Havelka said there will be an adjustment to life in the Southeastern Conference.

“It's tremendous competition. There's Alabama, Florida, LSU, Texas A&M. It's tough. There are no easy games. The players she'll face will be a challenge and she knows that,” he said. “But she's a worker and she'll keep trying to get better.”

Hedgcock said she'll take away from high school the experience of working together as a group to achieve success.

“I learned so much these past few years about overcoming adversity and working together for one common goal. We know how to play together. We grew up playing the sport for so long,” she said.