Naperville Central freshman second baseman Gianna Ecklund is a right-handed hitter.
But that’s not how she started her high school career.
“She batted left-handed for about the first 12 to 15 games,” Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum said. “She was trying to make the conversion and was not happy with her production.”
So Ecklund went back to hitting righty, although Nussbaum thought she had potential to be a lefty slapper.
“I told her when she switched, ‘Don’t give up on it completely,’” Nussbaum said. “’You do what you want, but don’t give up on it completely.’”
Ecklund did give up on hitting lefty, and the Redhawks are glad she did.
Ecklund saved Naperville Central’s season on Tuesday. She belted a game-tying two-run home run and then drove in the game-winning run as the third-seeded Redhawks rallied to beat 14th-seeded Batavia 3-2 in a Class 4A regional semifinal at Knoch Park in Naperville.
The Redhawks (24-9) will host fifth-seeded Plainfield North or 11th-seeded West Aurora in the regional championship game at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Ecklund had homered only once until the regular-season finale, when she hit a pair of three-run shots. Her first postseason at-bat was a memorable one.
After the upset-minded Bulldogs (9-26) scored two unearned runs off Naperville Central ace Avery Miller in the top of the third inning, senior left fielder Reese Henige led off the bottom of the frame with a single to center. That brought up the No. 9 hitter, Ecklund, who blasted a 3-1 pitch over the fence in right-center.
“I was just thinking swing hard or just try to move the runners,” she said. “It felt awesome.”
Miller (18-5), who pitched a four-hitter with no walks and 12 strikeouts, was relieved and thrilled by Ecklund’s homer.
“I started jumping up and down with joy,” Miller said. “You can look at the video. I was so happy for her.
“It really was amazing, and it really saved us. It’s really refreshing to see her growth throughout the season, and I’m really proud of her.”
So is Penn-bound senior shortstop Natalie Lau, who plays next to Ecklund.
“Varsity is definitely a change of pace, but Gianna is a great athlete and very versatile,” Lau said. “I know she also plays a very high level of travel team, so it’s really not much different than that.
“It’s just different coming from 14U, 16U to all of a sudden seeing 18-year-old pitchers, so I would say that was probably the biggest difference. But overall, this season she’s had really great energy and has really been able to produce for us and be there when we need her, so I think she’s been doing great.”
Ecklund came through again in her second at-bat. Sophomore first baseman Lacey Williams, freshman catcher Elise Simms and Henige started the fourth with consecutive singles, although Williams was thrown out at the plate on Henige’s hit. Ecklund then grounded out to third, driving in the go-ahead run.
“Again, I was just trying to move the runners,” Ecklund said.
Defensively, Ecklund has been adept at preventing opponents from getting runners on base.
“I’m thrilled with what she’s doing defensively,” Nussbaum said. “She’s been great. I think of all the bunts we’ve fielded this year in 33 games, she mishandled one, so we’re really happy with that.
“And, boy, couldn’t have a better-timed home run than today’s was.”
So is Ecklund, who just missed hitting another home run in her third at-bat, glad she gave up slap hitting?
“Yes, 100%,” she said. “I feel so much more confident at the plate. I think I’m going to stick with righty.”
Nussbaum said that will be all right with him.
“I talked to her dad yesterday, and he said, ‘I said to Gianna, “Wait until he sees what you can do right-handed,”’” Nussbaum said. “So, yeah, maybe we should stay right-handed now.”
The Redhawks stayed alive to play at least one more game thanks to their rookie No. 9 hitter, who is batting .282 with four home runs and 17 RBIs.
“I’m just really proud of myself for even making the team and excited to grow with the team and just keep playing,” Ecklund said.
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
