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…

Read More

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…

Read More

Photo Gallery: Liberty’s John comes out ahead in pitcher’s duel with Pleasant Hill’s Wombles

Liberty shortstop Ava Heming tags out Pleasant Hill's Ava Wombles as she tries to steal second base during Friday night's Class 1A regional championship game at Western High School in Barry. | David Adam

Liberty’s Chandler John allowed just three hits and one walk in a complete game effort in a 3-1 victory over Pleasant Hill in the Class 1A softball regional on Friday night at Western High School in Barry. Pleasant Hill’s Ava Wombles also turned in a solid game in the circle, allowing five hits and walking…

Read More

Liberty softball team ‘smacks the ball pretty good,’ uses three home runs to overtake Pittsfield

Liberty sophomore first baseman Claire Obert approaches her teammates at home plate after her grand slam in the sixth inning of Thursday's game against Pittsfield in Liberty, Ill. | Shane Hulsey

LIBERTY, Ill. — Ally Lefringhouse’s home run sparked the Liberty softball team’s comeback, Chandler John’s homer completed it, and Claire Obert’s slam put an exclamation point on it. Lefringhouse got the Eagles within a run with a solo blast in the bottom of the third inning, John gave the Eagles a one-run lead with her…

Read More

Stroke of Luck: Lefringhouse’s drive bounces right way for Liberty softball team in extra-inning victory

Liberty senior catcher Ally Lefringhouse, center, is greeted by her teammates at home plate after hitting a go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning Tuesday against Pittsfield at Vic Callender Field. | Shane Hulsey

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Lady Luck was on the Liberty softball team’s side on Tuesday. With Liberty and Pittsfield tied at 2, Anna Dietrich at first and one out in the top of the eighth, Liberty semior catcher Ally Lefringhouse launched an 0-1 pitch from Emma Henry high in the air to deep center field. The…

Read More

Photo Gallery: Liberty’s John finishes off complete game after Lefringhouse’s homer in extra innings

Liberty sophomore pitcher Chandler John celebrates with her teammates after snaring a ground ball off the bat of Pittsfield's Emma Wombles for the first out of the top of the eighth inning on Tuesday in Pittsfield. | Shane Hulsey

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Liberty senior catcher Ally Lefringhouse delivered a go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning, and Chandler John retired the final three batters in the bottom of the inning after surrendering a leadoff home run to Pittsfield’s Grace Henry to close out a 4-3 Liberty victory on Tuesday. John…

Read More

Losing no-hitter in seventh doesn’t bother John as Liberty softball team holds on to defeat Blue Devils

Pitcher Chandler John walks off the field with a smile after Liberty's 5-2 victory over Quincy High School on Wednesday afternoon. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — Chandler John was oh-so-close to a no-hitter, but the run differential after the final out was all she was concerned about. The Liberty sophomore right-hander was two outs from a no-hitter against Quincy High School on Wednesday before Avary Hlubek thwarted John’s chances at a no-no with a single through the left side,…

Read More

Liberty softball team backs John’s pitching with nine unanswered runs in victory over Payson Seymour

LIBERTY, Ill. — The Liberty softball team trailed 3-2 after 2½ innings, then scored nine unanswered runs to post an 11-3 victory over Payson Seymour on Thursday afternoon. Chandler John earned the victory, striking out eight, allowing five hits, three walks and one unearned run.  Payson Seymour scored twice in the second inning, then Abby…

Read More