Heming rebounds from ‘rough’ regional to shine in field, at plate in Liberty’s softball sectional semifinal victory

Liberty shortstop Ava Heming is all smiles as she hugs pitcher Chandler John after the final out of Tuesday's sectional softball team at Triopia High School in Concord. | David Adam

CONCORD, Ill. — It was fitting that the last ball put into play during Tuesday’s Class 1A sectional semifinal softball game was handled flawlessly by Liberty shortstop Ava Heming. Every time a big play was needed, Heming came through. Heming flawlessly fielded two grounders in the seventh, helped turn a double play in the fifth…

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Ormond’s two-strike, two-out single in bottom of sixth breaks tie, helps Liberty claim regional crown

After throwing her glove in the air, Liberty pitcher Chandler John gets ready to celebrate with first baseman Claire Obert, who holds the ball in her glove after the final out of Friday night's Class 1A regional softball game at Western High School in Barry. | David Adam

BARRY, Ill. — Years from now, when people talk about Friday night’s Class 1A softball regional championship game, most will remember Camdyn Ormond’s sixth-inning single through the right side of the infield that brought home the winning runs for Liberty in a 3-1 victory on Friday night at Western High School. Pleasant Hill coach Ryan…

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Survive and Advance: Liberty softball coach not thrilled with level of play but accepts regional semifinal victory

Liberty junior second baseman Anna Dietrich watches the flight of a ball she hit during a 14-7 victory over Griggsville-Perry in the Class 1A Barry Western Regional semifinals Tuesday at Western High School. | Shane Hulsey

BARRY, Ill. — Liberty softball coach BJ Fessler remained optimistic while also addressing the elephant in the room in the postgame huddle following a 14-7 victory over Griggsville-Perry in Tuesday’s Class 1A Barry Western Regional semifinal game. The No. 2 seed Eagles did not perform up to their standard. “I wasn’t hard on the girls,”…

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Liberty avoids bad inning to capture first softball regional championship since 2009

The Liberty softball team celebrates after the final out of Friday's Class 1A regional championship game in Camp Point. | David Adam

CAMP POINT, Ill. — B.J. Fessler was prepared for it to happen. The Liberty softball coach had watched, time and time again this season, his team play well but lose games because of one disastrous inning. So when the Eagles took the lead in Friday afternoon’s Class 1A regional championship game with three runs in…

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