Zion-Benton senior third baseman Ashlyn Totsch hasn’t hit a lot of home runs during four years as a starter, but that doesn’t mean she can’t.
Totsch proved that Monday.
“I was just looking for something to hit after a lot of fouls balls and some ugly swings,” she said.
Totsch proceeded to hit two home runs, doubling her season total, in her final home game as the 15th-seeded Zee-Bees defeated 18th-seeded Waukegan 18-3 in the Class 4A Libertyville Regional quarterfinal in Zion.
Totsch followed a solo shot with a three-run homer for Zion-Benton (7-16), which advanced to play second-seeded Glenbrook North (22-5) in the regional semifinals at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“That first one was very important for me,” she said. “Before that, I had only hit nine home runs in my total career, including with club. It pushed me above double digits. I can fill both hands now. I ended my home career on a high point.”
Totsch’s slow start at the plate this season made her performance against the Bulldogs (1-19) even more meaningful to her.
“Ash was struggling at the beginning of the season, but she definitely jumped out of that,” Zion-Benton coach Tina Meyer said. “Her hitting came around. She has more confidence and is making great contact again at the perfect time of the season. She had a great game today.”
Totsch, who is batting .353 this season, also made a leaping catch in the fourth inning.
“She plays a phenomenal third base,” Meyer said. “She has a quick glove. She’s very aggressive and always goes after it.”
Totsch said the presence of senior shortstop Sam White, who is also a four-year starter for the Zee-Bees, has helped her defensively.
“I have really good chemistry with Sam,” Totsch said. “We communicate well and work well together as a team and are best friends in and out of softball.”
Totsch realized the importance of teamwork after she had knee surgery during her sophomore year and watched teammates do well without her.
“It definitely taught me more about the mental part of softball and that I can’t do everything by myself,” she said.
White, a University of St. Francis commit, said Totsch is a good teammate as well as a good friend.
“We have a tight bond,” White said. “She has always been there for my ups and downs. I’ve been there for hers as well. She has great sportsmanship and is always kind to everyone.”
Totsch, who won a North Suburban Conference Sportsmanship Award in volleyball last fall, said she ranked third academically in her class with a 4.7 GPA and intends to major in civil engineering at Illinois.
“I want to focus specifically on water conservation, resources with water,” she said. “I want to make sure we have enough water to go around. A lot of cities in the world don’t have access to clean water.
“I want to make sure that I can help and put my talents and efforts toward making sure other people feel comfortable where they live and they can thrive and not worry whether or not they have clean water.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
