Lincoln-Way West pitcher Abby Brueggmann spent a lot of time jumping, pointing and shouting during the biggest game of her varsity career.
In all instances, the junior right-hander had the biggest smile.
It was all about the girls behind her, who played errorless ball Friday from start to finish.
“The energy was crazy,” Brueggmann said. “I was just celebrating my teammates. Some of those balls could have been hits and they made every play.
“When they take away a hit from someone, I get pumped for them.”
All of them were pretty pumped for her after the Warriors defeated the host Thunderbolts 2-0 in the Class 4A Andrew Regional championship game in Tinley Park.
Brueggmann reached base twice, scored a run and tossed a three-hit shutout to pace Lincoln-Way West (23-11). Kaylea Armstrong added two hits, while Paige Seivert also reached twice and made the defensive play of the game.
Ana Cisek came through with two hits for Andrew (21-13).
The Warriors scored both of their runs in the second inning. Madi Lukasik was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, while North Carolina State recruit Reese Rourke drove in the other run with a fielder’s choice grounder.
Brueggmann, meanwhile, was brilliant in the circle. She struck out three without a walk. None of the runners she allowed got past second base.
No one appreciated her performance more than Rourke, who’s an ace pitcher herself but will be playing in college as a shortstop.
“Abby has been throwing great this whole season,” Rourke said. “The best part (Friday) was the energy she brought the whole team. Every first-pitch strike, we all looked at each other and got hyped for her.
“She just really brings the infield together and sets the tone for the game.”
Perhaps Brueggmann’s biggest shoutout went to Seivert after her highlight-reel play in center field in the top of the second. Seivert played a long drive by Clare Hester perfectly off the fence and threw her out at second base.
It helped the Warriors advance to a 4:45 p.m. Tuesday semifinal in the Lockport Sectional against Lincoln-Way Central (33-1), a 10-0 winner in five innings over Homewood-Flossmoor.
“I don’t even know what happened,” Seivert said. “I just remember at practice we work so hard on the fence balls, getting the ball in. We just work so hard and I want to see it come out on the field.”
Seivert’s heroics resulted in quite a swing in emotions by Brueggmann.
“Yeah, I was kind of mad that I gave up the hit,” Brueggmann said, laughing. “Then I saw Paige make that throw and I got so excited.”
Brueggmann (12-6) has been a revelation during the second half of the season. She has 116 strikeouts and just 26 walks in 113 innings.
Her breakout game came April 25 in a 1-0 loss to Marist. She didn’t allow a hit through the first six innings.
“It definitely was a confidence boost,” Brueggmann said. “I was expecting to pitch that day, but I wasn’t the main starter on our team. I was a little nervous because Marist is a great team.
“I wasn’t expecting perfection, I just went out there and did my best.”
Lincoln-Way West coach Heather Novak has used Brueggmann as the main pitcher ever since.
“In that game, that outing, she showed her ability to attack hitters, to get those swings and misses, to get those outs,” Novak said. “From there, she has really continued to grow as a pitcher.”
She’s ready for the moment.
“This is definitely the year,” Brueggmann said. “I struggled last season and the year before and didn’t have much confidence. I’ve been working on my mental game to stay calm, stay cool.
“I can get past tense moments now. It really helps to know that coach has confidence in me.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
