St. Laurence sophomore Demi Lotus had a memorable freshman year up on the varsity last spring.
She earned the starting shortstop spot, hit .459 and scored 37 runs as a mainstay at the top of the lineup as the Vikings finished fourth in Class 3A, the program’s first state trophy.
Pretty good, right? Except to Lotus.
“Not really (a good year). I mean sure, it was OK,” Lotus said with a laugh. “I was new to the team. I didn’t know anyone closely. I feel more confident up there now, and I’ve grown more connected with my teammates.”
Lotus had two hits, including a double, and a run as host St. Laurence defeated Richards 2-0 on May 22 in a Class 4A regional championship.
It was St. Laurence’s seventh straight regional title and first in 4A.
Seniors Viviana Chavez and Vanessa Kates had a RBI each.
Senior Maddie Misch threw a shutout, scattering two hits and no walks with six strikeouts for the Vikings, who were 22-6 heading into sectional play.
After Diaz led off the sixth in a scoreless tie with a single, Lotus smashed a double to left. Diaz scored on Chavez’s sacrifice fly, and Lotus scored in the next at-bat on a Kates’ fielder’s choice.
Lotus’ contributions weren’t limited to the plate.
She and the Vikings defense made one play after another to escape some sticky situations on the basepaths.
Richards stranded a runner at third in fifth and then couldn’t capitalize with two runners on and no outs in the sixth.
“We just tell each other we’re here for each other (as a defense),” Lotus said. “We pick each other up. When someone makes a good play, we go off that.”
Coach Teagan Walsh said Lotus sets the bar high with her performance and is always working to improve.
“You wouldn’t think Demi is a sophomore out there,” Walsh said. “When she’s at bat, we know something good will happen. She has that IQ and that drive and doesn’t get down on herself.”
Lotus grew up around St. Laurence with her dad, Pete, the longtime baseball coach, and her sister, Emma, a standout outfielder, now starring at Central Michigan.
“Literally been here since I was 6,” Lotus said. “I was practicing on the baseball field with the baseball team. My sisters, too.”
Sophomore Sophia Schaller and senior Mia Albon had a hit each for Richards (19-11). Senior Emily Chavosky pitched well for the Bulldogs, giving up four hits and no walks with five strikeouts over six innings.
Other regional winners
Soleil Tate pitched a no-hitter with nine strikeouts and had three hits, including a home run, as Marist won its own 4A regional, shutting out Hinsdale Central 15-0 on May 22. Layla Termunde had three hits, two runs and an RBI, while Lexi Kyros and Ellie Holmstrom also homered.
in 3A, Maggie Troglia homered and drove in four runs as host Evergreen Park beat Kennedy 12-2 on May 22. Grace Fontaine also drove in four runs for the Mustangs.
Melana Johnson homered twice, scored three runs and drove in four as host Mother McAuley beat Nazareth 15-7 on May 22. Madison Marshall also homered for the Mighty Macs.
Lilah Serrano pitched a five-hitter with eight strikeouts and drove in three runs as De La Salle beat host Hinsdale South 6-2 on May 22.
In 2A, Alivia Hovanec pitched a six-inning two-hitter with 11 strikeouts as Chicago Christian beat host Westmont 12-2 on May 22. Abby Moro was 2-for-3 with a triple, a walk, two runs and three RBIs, while Holland Winthrop drove in three runs.