Grein guides Lincoln-Way Central back to state

ORLAND PARK – Isabella Wilkerson and Lyndsey Grein beamed as they posed for a picture together that they likely won’t soon forget steps away from the pitching circle.

Putting their feelings into words wouldn’t take only a few words.

Their smiles, collective team cheers, celebration and a plaque after Lincoln-Way Central’s 5-4 victory over St. Charles North in the Class 4A Supersectional on Monday probably conveyed plenty.

“I don’t know if I could put that [my feelings] in a couple words for you, but its awesome,” said Lincoln-Way Central junior Grein after her complete game, six strikeout performance. “This team is awesome. It’s a team sport. It’s a team win. I love each and every one of these girls as if they were my own family.”

The North Stars (14-8) battled back from a 5-0 deficit in the fourth inning after a two-run homer by Julia Larson but ultimately were unable to get the tying run the rest of the game.

North Stars junior Ashlee Chantos battled with multiple foul balls in the final at-bat but was coaxed into a groundout to ensure the Knights’ first trip to state since 2008, the season they won a state championship.

“We [made] eye contact and we [knew] we were both zoned in,” said Wilkerson, a senior, on the heart-racing final at-bat. “I [knew] that she was ready, and I’m confident in everything that she can do, so I [knew] she was going to get her on the last one, for sure.”

“It’s a family. We say it before and after each and every game,” said Grein, a Virginia Tech recruit. “We treat each other like family. I think this is our goal from the beginning of the season, and to be here. It’s like keep going, keep pushing. Two more games left ... to speak to Bella. She’s family, man. She’s awesome. She’s so incredibly talented, and she’s an amazing athlete and even better teammate.”

Lincoln-Way Central (29-3) spoiled St. Charles North’s chances at state. The last time the North Stars advanced to state was 2011.

Central now will face Minooka for its state semifinal game at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in Peoria.

“I wish I could tell you [what is so special about this team,]” Central coach Jeff Tarala said. “They’re just some wonderful girls. [Wilkerson] has been with us for four years. It’s just, some girls have it, you know what I mean? They’ll do anything you want them to do.”

“They were sold out to Lincoln-Way Central softball. That’s what it takes. We’ve had some really, really good teams in the past that haven’t done this,” Tarala said. “You need those special players like that. [Grein was also] just incredible.”

Wilkerson got the Knights on the scoreboard after hitting into a fielder’s choice that brought home courtesy runner Alexis Youngren for a 1-0 lead in the first. Grace Erickson hit an RBI single in the second and was followed two batters later by Grein’s two-run homer for the 4-0 Central lead.

Kathryn Ponton hit an RBI sacrifice fly in the third to put the Knights up 5-0, but the North Stars rebounded with Larson’s home run to break up the no-hitter in the fourth and trailed, 5-2.

Chantos hit an RBI double in the fifth inning and Larson tacked on an RBI single to make it 5-4, but a groundout ended the threat for the North Stars.

“That’s just the game that we wanted to be in,” Larson said. “We started off [down], 5-0, and we came back. We had a chance in the last inning and couldn’t execute.”

Grein shut the door the rest of the way, surrendering only a single in the sixth for St. Charles North’s lone base runner to reach safely.

North Stars sophomore pitcher Ava Goettel struck out three in her final complete game performance.