Antioch’s Kailyn Bockwoldt tried to find a good spot to reach for the plaque on Monday.
The 5-foot-2 sophomore designated player was stuck behind several teammates as they raised the Class 3A Kaneland Supersectional hardware for a photo. But Bockwoldt said she never lets her height bother her.
“I just try to do my job and have fun,” she said. “I just try to get on base.”
Bockwoldt had a lot of fun getting on base against Sycamore, hitting three singles to spark the Sequoits’ 8-2 victory in Maple Park.
Antioch (28-5), which returns to the state tournament after finishing second last season and third in 2022, will play Waterloo (27-6) in the semifinals at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria at 12:30 p.m. Friday.
“It’s a bit of a relief going back to state this year after we graduated some big-time players last year,” Antioch coach Anthony Rocco said. “We’re really young this year. … I’m proud of these kids. They worked so hard and are playing awesome.”
Antioch senior pitcher Jacey Schuler (22-3) ignited the offense with a three-run homer during a four-run outburst in the first inning. The Michigan State recruit struggled at times in the circle, partly due to the nearly 20 mph wind. Schuler, a four-year starter, scattered three hits and struck out 12 in seven innings.
Bockwoldt, who played sparingly during her freshman season, went 3-for-3 to raise her batting average to .385.
“This year I started in a bit of a slump, but I’ve pulled it together and been doing good at the end the season, so today felt good,” she said. “I just looked at the defense and tried to hit it where they weren’t. I saw today they were in, so I hit to the outfield and on the ground since runners were on base.”
Bockwoldt, who said she became a left-handed slap hitter after suffering a broken right arm a few years ago, bided her time last year.
“It feels really good to be a part of an amazing team,” she said. “I kind of looked at last year that I had to wait my turn. I worked hard in the offseason to get my spot this year. I did a lot of working out and hitting in my garage and played a lot of travel.”
Rocco said Bockwoldt is a reliable, clutch hitter for his high-octane offense.
“She was a rotation kid last year,” Rocco said. “This season, she showed she could adjust well to a lot of pitching. She’s a very good contact hitter and moved from seventh to fifth in the order and has been a big spark plug.
“Today, she got us going a few times.”
Sam Hillner, who hit a two-run homer in the third inning, said Bockwoldt’s skill set fits in nicely with the Sequoits’ power hitters.
“She’s very good at getting those gaps, which moves a lot of runners,” Hillner said. “She gets on a base a lot, helping set up other hitters. She makes a lot of clutch hits.”
Helping others is something Bockwoldt wants to continue doing off the field too. She said she works “a lot of hours” in a local program for adults with special needs.
“My brother (Riley) inspired me to want to be a special ed teacher,” she said. “I feel it has helped me become more patient and matured me a lot because I’ve realized what’s really important and what I should focus on in life.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
