Ella Heimbuch rarely had to worry about where she would fit in for St. Charles North.
Alternating between playing catcher, shortstop and outfield, the freshman phenom found the answer to be appealing — it’s just about anywhere that the North Stars need the her.
“During the beginning, I was nervous and playing a little tight,” Heimbuch said. “But everyone was so welcoming, especially the older players. I feel like they’ve taken so much of the pressure off. I’ve been able to make mistakes during my growing period of just trying to catch up.
“I didn’t feel the need to be perfect.”
Heimbuch is poised for her biggest test as St. Charles North (24-6) takes on Oswego (28-9) at 5:30 p.m. Friday in a Class 4A state semifinal at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
The North Stars are seeking their second state championship in the last three years.
Heimbuch, a precocious talent, has been a sensation in her rookie high school season. Slotted second in the order, she’s batting .386 with a team-best 34 hits, 21 runs and 14 RBIs.
She has also flashed some power with eight doubles and a triple.
“I see myself as more of a contact hitter,” Heimbuch said. “I can do the small ball, but if I need to, I can also go with the outside pitch. I just try to be as loose and confident, thinking no matter what I can do it when I’m up there.”
She’s one of three freshmen starters, joined by infielders Julianna Kouba and Faith Maleski.
Her rapport with Kouba is a shared source of pride, with confidence and ability that makes up for their lack of experience. They are more like sisters than teammates.
“I’ve known Ella since kindergarten and we’ve been best friends ever since, a connection that is unbreakable,” Kouba said. “She is outgoing, kind, so funny, and she is always there for me and the team. She is my throwing partner, so I can always talk with her.”
Heimbuch got her start playing baseball before making the shift to softball around age 7.
The game connects all sides of her family. Her parents, Mark and Beth, played baseball and softball growing up. Her older brother, Ty, is a standout junior catcher for the North Stars.
The shared DNA and competitive instincts are other crucial pieces of her development.
”We’ve grown up training with each other, whether it be baseball and softball, basketball or speed and agility,” Ty said. “Seeing each other succeed always pushes the other one to work harder while still cheering each other on.
“As the older sibling I look up to her as I see her hard work really pay off.”
At 5-foot-6, Ella combines poise, instinct and a feel for the game in softball. She also played guard on the junior varsity in basketball. She has good quickness and speed.
As a left-handed hitter, she has the advantage of opening up and seeing the entire field. She has come of age as a freshman, showcasing all sides of her game.
“With Julianna or Faith, I don’t even feel like we’re young anymore,” Ella said. “Everyone’s just kind of combined as one team rather than separated by class.
”I am able to talk with my teammates and get feedback about pitching or something like that. I know they have my back.”
The next stage is the most consequential of her young career.
She has been dreaming of this moment.
”I’m just excited by the whole experience of going to state,” Heimbuch said. “We’re not satisfied with just going. We want to win it.
“I know it’s probably going to be nerve-wracking, a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I’m very happy to participate in it.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
