Every time Lockport’s Sydney Amschler steps up to the plate, the senior left fielder goes through a methodical routine. It starts with her fashioning a particular grip and dampening her right hand.
She brushes it against her pant leg and then taps home plate twice.
“I began it almost by accident,” Amschler said, recalling the sequence with a smile. “I liked it, so I never stopped doing it. I do love hitting and I honestly think it’s what I’m best at.”
She was the best of the bunch Wednesday for the Porters.
On a day where rain threatened to damper the mood, Amschler went 3-for-3 and also drove in two runs, leading host Lockport to a 7-6 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory over Sandburg.
Junior outfielder Coley Sievers came up big for the Porters (12-4, 5-0), driving in the walk-off run with an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Senior shortstop Zoe Trunk blasted a two-run triple in the top of the sixth for Sandburg (8-9, 3-2), while senior infielder Gianna Schoenecker finished 3-for-4 with a run and two RBIs.
With her three singles, however, Amschler is now hitting .447 with a team-best 17 RBIs for the Porters. The Aurora University recruit has come of age in her second varsity season.
“Syd is a kid who brings lots of energy to the team,” Lockport coach Marissa Chovanec said. “She loves the game and accepts her role. I’m excited to see her taking good approaches at the plate.”
Senior center fielder Taylor Lane pointed to how Amschler plays with an infectious spirit.
“Sydney shows the mindset that life is good because she always shows up ready to play,” Lane said. “She’s the first person to pick you up when you are struggling and keeps the team going.”
Underscoring the respect Amschler commands, Sandburg put the tying runner on base by intentionally walking her while holding a 6-4 lead with two outs in the sixth.
Senior catcher Olivia Picciola promptly drilled a two-run double for Lockport, creating a 6-6 tie in a game that featured four ties and four lead changes.
“That felt great in the moment and I knew that Olivia could do the job,” Amschler said. “I always try to build off whatever my teammates do before or after me. I’m selfless. I just try to do my job.”
Senior outfielder Noelle Sustersic was Amschler’s next-door neighbor when the two first met in the third grade. She will be joining Amschler in the fall at AU.
“Syd is like one of my sisters,” Susteric said. “We met playing in the fields together and went onto middle school. I think the biggest difference in her game is last year she was in her head a bit.
“As a junior, she always wanted to prove herself. Now, she’s one of our top hitters who can place the ball anywhere.”
Amschler’s mother played softball when she was growing up. Her older brothers, 20-year-old twins, helped form her competitive zeal and desire to excel. She’s always ready to play.
That showed Wednesday when she drilled an RBI single in her first at-bat.
“That first time up is so important,” Amschler said. “I tend to get down on myself if I struggle that first time up in a game. I’ve always been able to hit for power, but this season I’m focusing on making contact, getting RBIs and getting people across.”
Chovanec has demonstrated her faith in Amschler by putting her in the heart of the batting order in the fifth spot. From there, her confidence has skyrocketed.
“I have a bigger role now and I feel the pressure, but I also know I have to get the job done,” Amschler said. “I always try to succeed in everything I do and improve every single game.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
