PEORIA — Senior pitcher Abby Brueggmann displayed great emotion after a significant win for Lincoln-Way West’s softball team. With tears in her eyes, she reflected on her journey and the validation of her skills. “Sometimes, I doubted my ability to pitch in such important games,” Brueggmann said. “It feels good to know our team and I are capable.”
On Friday, Brueggmann excelled in a 2-1 victory over Marist in the Class 4A state semifinal held at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. The St. Xavier recruit struck out four batters while stranding eight for Lincoln-Way West, which now boasts a 29-7 record.
Reese Forsythe, who has committed to St. Ambrose, contributed with a crucial triple, and Reese Rourke, committed to NC State, successfully stole home in the game. Maddie Rogers, Layla Peters (a Notre Dame recruit), and Ellie Holmstrom (a Saint Louis recruit) each recorded two hits for Marist, which ended with a 36-2 record. Soleil Tate, committed to Wisconsin, managed six strikeouts.
Lincoln-Way West is set to face Mundelein (23-5) for the state title at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday. Expressing her excitement, Brueggmann said, “We have strong leaders and many seniors on this team. We’ve overcome the best and aim to finish this journey with a win.”
In an earlier match on March 30, Marist dominated the Warriors with an 11-5 victory, positioning them as favorites for the rematch. However, Lincoln-Way West approached the game with a mindset of playing fearlessly. “We aimed to play loosely and aggressively,” Brueggmann remarked. “As we kept winning innings, the tension seemed to increase for them.”
During the semifinal, Marist consistently placed runners in scoring positions but only managed one run thanks to Holmstrom’s double and an RBI bunt by Alia Rowles. Meanwhile, Lincoln-Way West capitalized on opportunities, scoring on a double steal by Rourke and Seivert in the first inning, and in the third inning with Forsythe’s triple followed by Seivert’s deep drive.
Throughout the game, Brueggmann recognized the presence of Marist runners but remained focused. “They hit well, but I concentrated on minimizing the damage,” she said. “Our defense did an excellent job escaping innings with runners on base.” She personally ended key innings with strikeouts, proving crucial to the team’s success.
We have an amazing connection. I always tell Abby, ‘You’ve got this,’” Forsythe revealed. “I’m there for her, and she has a strong defense backing her.
Lincoln-Way West coach Heather Novak praised Brueggmann’s resilience. “Abby has consistently faced challenging lineups and has shown trust in herself and her teammates. Her development over the years has been remarkable, making her crucial for those big moments.
Brueggmann’s leadership and performance have impressed throughout the postseason. Coach Novak expressed admiration for the team’s ability to navigate tough situations and execute plays effectively. “Being part of these close games, making key pitches, and succeeding defensively have made this journey enjoyable to watch,” she concluded.
Tony Baranek reports for the Daily Southtown.