PEORIA — Most assuredly, freshman shortstop Aleigh Hill will have many memorable moments during her softball career at Providence.
But she will probably hold a special place in her heart for the first one. It happened Saturday in the Class 3A state championship game against Chatham Glenwood.
Hill showed a ton of heart, digging out an infield single that sent home the tying run. And, boy, was she excited after the play. Her leap at first base was impressive.
“I felt great,” Hill said. “It felt great to be able to do something for my teammates that made an effect on the game and made school history.
“But there is always something to be proud of — especially with this team.”
Hill’s clutch hit provided some late excitement as Providence took Chatham Glenwood to the limit before losing 3-2 in eight innings at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex.
While Hill finished with two hits, Angelina Cole added an RBI double for the Celtics (26-12). Freshman right-hander Macie Robbins struck out four.
Providence trailed 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning when Bella Cortes led off with a triple into the right-field corner. Cole followed with a double. Mia Sanfratello moved Cole to third, where she scored on Hill’s hit to the hole at short.
Chatham Glenwood (37-1) broke the tie in the top of the eighth on an RBI single by Irie Lohrenz.
It was Providence’s first trip to state since 2017 and the best finish in program history. Hill, one of eight underclass starters, plans to make a return trip in 2026.
Her effort against Chatham Glenwood was the follow-up to a good semifinal performance Friday. Hill reached base twice and laid down a sacrifice bunt in a 5-2 victory over St. Laurence.
For the season, she hit .305 with five doubles, one home run and 23 RBIs. And on defense, Hill is part of an effective keystone combination with junior second baseman Bella Olszta.
“Aleigh really impressed me,” Olszta said. “I had a lot of confidence in her to go out and be a starting shortstop as a freshman.”
Olzsta also was ready with advice. She has been there and done that.
“As a freshman, obviously it can be very nerve-racking,” Olszta said. “You feel like it’s all on you. But I told her, ‘It’s no big deal. It’s fine. Everybody’s got your back.’”
Hill wasn’t one to doubt herself, but she wasn’t expecting what happened when she came to tryouts this spring as a freshman.
“After tryouts, they called everyone in and told me that I was going to be on varsity,” Hill said. “Coming into it, I didn’t know how I was going to get along with my teammates, being a freshman. But I felt like I was ready.
“I believe in myself and I know what I can do. And as soon as I stepped onto the field with this team, they made me feel very comfortable. I was very shy walking on to this team, but they let me be me.”
Hill was a surprise addition at tryouts for Providence coach Jim Holba.
“Most of the girls we kind of see throughout camps,” Holba said. “My assistants knew a little bit about her from the past, but she pretty much just shined at tryouts. She showed out as someone we could develop and build.
“Aleigh is a quietly intense girl who loves to be around people. She takes coaching well and always has a smile on her face. When bad things happen, she doesn’t carry it on after the fact. So she was a great find, and we’re happy to have her.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
