Siemon's spectacular assist saves Antioch's win

Antioch center fielder Samie Seamon knew exactly what to do if the ball was hit to her.

Seamon, who will play collegiately at Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater, executed a perfect catch and throw.

Here's the scenario.

With one out in the seventh inning and runners on second and third, the Sequoits held a 3-2 lead.

Marengo's Amanda Hart launched a flyball to medium center. Siemon, who caught the ball with momentum heading toward the plate, fired a perfect strike to catcher Amber Mysliwiec.

Mysliwiec applied the tag to Marengo's Steph Cartwright, which ended the game and gave the Sequoits an exhilarating 3-2 win over Marengo in the championship of the Class 3A Prairie Ridge sectional held in Crystal Lake on Saturday.

The Sequoits advanced to the Marengo supersectional, where they will play Geneseo on Monday. Geneseo beat Sycamore 4-1 Saturday to take a sectional title.

"I was thinking the play all the way," Seamon said. "I knew if the ball was hit to me I was going to the plate. I thought I made a good throw and Amber made a great tag. We lost in the sectional finals to Vernon Hills last year, so we knew this was our game to win. We were very nervous before the game, but we really wanted this one."

Sequoits coach Jeff Tylka has seen Siemon make that type of play all season.

"The Division I coaches are missing out on her," Tylka said. "She is a Division I center fielder. I can't believe teams still run on her. She has made great outfield plays all season."

The Sequoits, who lost 2-0 to Marengo earlier in the season, got on the board in the second inning after a single from Cat Dinklenburg drove in Allie Anttila. They added 2 more runs in the third when pitcher Olivia Duehr drove in 2 runs with a single off Marengo standout Danielle Simons.

Simons returned the favor in the bottom of the inning with a 2-run single that brought Marengo to within 3-2.

Duehr fired a gem for the Sequoits. In 7 innings, Duehr gave up 2 runs on 6 hits with 10 strikeouts and 3 walks.

"All my pitches were really working," Duehr said. "When we played Marengo earlier in the season, I used that game as a scouting report. I pitched a little different to their hitters this time around. Marengo is an awesome team and they gave us great competition. Samie is a great center fielder and she made a great play. I trust all my fielders."

Marengo coach Dwain Nance won't second-guess his decision to send the runner in the seventh inning.

"I would do it again," Nance said. "Their kid made a great throw and Antioch played a great game. Our kids gave their best effort and that is all I can ask for."