Lincoln-Way East’s Maddie Henry has perfected the merging of anticipation with preparation.
The Penn State-bound junior shortstop felt everything come together in ideal unity Monday.
“I was seeing the ball really well, and I’ve been working a lot on the outside pitch,” Henry said. “I got outside and high on my first at-bat, and that is exactly what I have been working on.”
And that hard work paid off again.
Henry hit a pair of home runs and drove in three runs for the host Griffins in a 7-2 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory over district rival Lincoln-Way West in Frankfort.
Junior infielder Audrey Bullock went 2-for-3 with two RBIs for the Griffins (15-0, 5-0), while junior infielder Mackenzie Bacha added two hits and an RBI and also scored a run.
Senior right-hander Jessi Szafoni worked seven innings for the win, striking out four and scattering three hits. Reese Cusack and Hannah Borchert each drove in runs for the Warriors (13-5, 3-3).
Henry, meanwhile, went 3-for-3 and scored three runs, raising her season total for home runs to seven. In the first inning, she smashed a two-run homer to center, giving Griffins a 3-0 lead.
“She’s a great leader who is very good at communicating with everybody on the team, especially the infield,” Lincoln-Way East coach Emily Hyland said of Henry. “She has this grit and determination, and she is never going to settle for anything less.
“She has worked very hard on her swing, and you can see the result of that.”
That’s not all, either.
Henry’s leadoff solo shot to left field in the third inning showed off her power, bat speed and ability to generate contact. A three-year starter, she exudes confidence and command at the plate.
Junior infielder Cassidy Jagielski, a Notre Dame recruit, precedes Henry as the No. 3 hitter in the batting order. The two have been inseparable since they were young kids learning the game.
“Maddie has always been a leader, the one who plays with a lot of energy and picks everybody up,” said Jagielski, who added a sacrifice fly for an RBI. “Everybody always asks who’s better between us, but it’s not like that.
“One of us is always going to back the other one up, especially if one of us is struggling.”
Hyland pointed out that Henry has an ebullient personality and flair that matches her confident and assertive manner on the field. She has flourished as the team’s cleanup hitter.
A force of nature, Henry anchors the infield defense and unleashes the offense.
“I think this has definitely been one of the best seasons I’ve played,” she said. “Last year was a bit of a struggle for me. Now, I’ve just put my foot on the bad and really put in the hard work.
“We’re taking it game by game, but I want this to be the team that goes downstate.”
The sport seemingly has been her destiny. Her father, Dan, played college baseball at Robert Morris. Her mother, Mary Kay, also played sports in high school.
As the oldest of four siblings, Maddie has a natural authority and intensity of purpose.
“I’ve always been really competitive,” she said. “When I get good at something, I just going to keep it right next to me. I fell in love with the game because I enjoy doing it.
“I just love being with my friends year-round.”
Her personality is intrinsic to how she plays the game — with conviction and joy.
“I feel like being able to compete and have fun and also win is what I pride myself on,” Henry said. “We can go and mess around, but we can also get serious in these games and be 15-0.
“We had fun, but we also had fun and we got the job done.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
