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Some things are the same and some are way different this season for Shepard’s Sarah Kreamalmeyer.
The junior third baseman/pitcher is already producing clutch hits just like she did in 2022.
On the flip side, Kreamalmeyer was one of the least-experienced varsity players last season. Now, she’s the second-most experienced.
“There were nine seniors who left us, and of our two juniors, one graduated early and the other transferred,” Kreamalmeyer said. “It’s basically me and Analise (Mulvihill) left for this season.
“Last year was my first year on the varsity, so all of those nine seniors taught me how to be a leader, how to keep my composure.”
The result?
“I feel more confident and more of a leader,” Kreamalmeyer said. “Last season, I was very shy. Now, I use my voice more.”
She used her bat to highlight one of the opening week’s biggest comebacks.
Shepard trailed Sandburg 6-1 going into the top of the seventh inning.
Kreamalmeyer’s first hit, a single, drove in a run to get the Astros within 6-4. In her second at-bat of the inning, she stroked a double that helped Shepard roll to a 12-6 victory.
“Everyone just kept hitting,” Kreamalmeyer said. “The energy was so high, it was unbelievable. Then Ana went out and did a great job pitching to Sandburg to close it out.”
Kreamalmeyer played a big role last spring in helping Shepard win a conference title. She batted .385 with four home runs and 31 RBIs.
Andy Schindel, in his first year as the Astros’ head coach, had the best seat in the house as an assistant at third base.
“Last season, Sarah was kind of able to find her own rhythm being around so many seniors,” Schindel said. “She batted in the heart of the lineup pretty consistently. She’s a great kid who continually works at what she loves to do.
“I remember against Lemont, she had a huge two-run double that kind of sealed the deal for us. This offseason, she has really put in the work, especially at the plate. And even her pitching looks a little better.”
Kreamalmeyer figures to get more innings with the graduation of Green Bay recruit Kelly Greene.
“Kelly was one of the most amazing pitchers I’ve ever seen,” Kreamalmeyer said. “I liked playing third, so I wasn’t having a fit about it or anything. But it will be fun to have more opportunities.”
Grand start: Lincoln-Way Central’s Jalese Hays had a varsity debut straight out of Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
The sophomore right-hander came into the March 21 game against Providence in the top of the third inning with a 7-0 lead. She had a rough go of it, allowing five runs.
Time to panic? Not hardly.
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In the bottom of the third, Hays came to the plate for her first varsity at-bat with the bases loaded.
She got four of the runs back by hitting a towering grand slam.
“I told myself, ‘Jalese, you’re going to hit this ball as hard as you can and show them you’re meant to be in this moment right now,’” Hays said, laughing. “I just swung and the ball went far. It felt amazing.”
Double duty: After sharing pitching duties last season with Northern Illinois recruit Danielle Stewart, Lincoln-Way East senior Maddy Hickey has taken over as the staff ace.
To the delight of Griffins coach Elizabeth Hyland, Hickey is also helping junior Claire Shanahan and freshman Audrey Bullock find their way around the circle as well.
“Saturday, we were in the weight room and Maddie just took command,” Hyland said. “She told them, ‘Hey, this is what we’re doing. Why don’t you try this? If you’re arm’s hurting, we’ll stretch during this rotation.’
“She is literally taking Audrey under her wing and just teaching her different things. It’s been phenomenal to watch. She’s a great role model and a great teacher.”
