Antioch sophomore Jadynn Ruiz’s slow start this season is in her rearview mirror.
Ruiz is looking forward.
“About two weeks into the season, I felt good,” she said. “I think it was the first outside practice when everything just clicked for me.”
Ruiz and the top-seeded Sequoits were definitely clicking during their Class 3A Antioch Sectional semifinal game against fourth-seeded Grayslake Central on Wednesday. She had three hits and drove in a run as Antioch won 11-0 in five innings.
Senior Aubrey Ultsch and freshman Tegan Schuler hit back-to-back homers during a five-run second inning for the Sequoits (26-5), who were the state runners-up last year and will play the winner of the Thursday semifinal between second-seeded Wauconda and third-seeded Lakes in the sectional championship game at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Senior Jacey Schuler (20-3), a Michigan State recruit, allowed three hits and two walks while striking out eight to earn the win.
Antioch split two Northern Lake County Conference games with the Rams (17-14) during the regular season.
“We knew this was going to be a tough matchup,” Grayslake Central coach James Plaza said. “They’re a great team, and we have a lot of respect for them.”
Ruiz is a significant part of that team. In her second season as a starter, she’s hitting .357 with three doubles, 21 RBIs, 31 runs scored and a team-high 10 stolen bases.
That comes after she hit .442 with 16 doubles, seven home runs, 37 RBIs, 30 runs scored and seven stolen bases last year while batting second behind then-senior Eden Echevarria, who is playing at Wisconsin. Ruiz was named to the coaches association’s Class 3A all-state third team as a freshman.
“She’s been fantastic,” Antioch coach Anthony Rocco said. “That was a tough all-state team to do it on. We had so many Division I players.”
Between seasons, Ruiz experienced what she described as “some mental issues” at the beginning of this school year.
Then her move to the leadoff spot this season coincided with her slow start at the plate.
“I’ve had a few ups and downs,” she said.
But Ruiz returned to the second spot and has been effective batting between the Schuler sisters.
“She struggled a bit at the start of the year because we had to put her at the leadoff spot until Tegan got comfortable being on varsity,” Rocco said. “We made the switch after four or five games, but she’s done great since then.”
Ruiz also moved from right field to second base this season.
“I like the infield a lot more,” she said. “I was the starting shortstop on my travel team, but I like second base even more. It feels great.
“I feel I have worked hard for this, so it’s great to see myself do well.”
Ruiz plays alongside sophomore shortstop Claire Schuyler.
“I lean on her all the time,” Ruiz said.
Schuyler said they lean on each other.
“Jadynn is one of the funniest people I know, and she’s actually my best friend,” Schuyler said. “We’re very close. It’s so good to have a good connection with our middle infielders to help each other.”
Ruiz is trying to take care of herself too.
“I learned I have to not take stuff for granted and you have to focus on yourself before your goals, so put yourself first before everything else,” she said.
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
