Nothing seems to faze Lake Zurich sophomore pitcher Juliana Kekstadt.
After starting in right field last season, Kekstadt is not only the Bears’ ace and cleanup hitter for the first time but also a leader on a team with just one senior, third baseman Claire Kohlman.
Even when runners reach base against Kekstadt, she doesn’t lose her composure.
“She has so much fight in her,” Kohlman said. “Every game, she is one of the loudest on the field and brings everyone up.”
Kekstadt gave her teammates plenty of reasons to get excited during a Class 4A Palatine Regional semifinal on Wednesday. She scattered three hits over seven innings and also went 2-for-3 with a bases-loaded single that ignited a game-turning six-run rally in the fifth inning to lead the third-seeded Bears to a 7-1 victory over sixth-seeded Grant.
“She looked for pitches she could drive at the plate,” Lake Zurich coach Nicole Pieper said. “The balls weren’t falling early for us, but we kept putting the ball in play. Obviously, that six-run fifth was huge for us.”
Kohlman and freshman shortstop Brooklyn Barber also had two hits for the Bears (20-10), who will play second-seeded Palatine (24-4) in the regional championship game at 4:45 p.m. Friday.
Pieper said Kekstadt kept her cool against the Bulldogs (12-10), who scored their lone run in the top of the sixth on a fielder’s choice. Kekstadt, who improved to 9-7 with a 3.30 ERA, struck out six and worked around four walks. She stranded seven runners on base.
“Juliana did a phenomenal job in the circle today,” Pieper said. “She hit her spots and was spinning it, doing what she needed to have them swing and miss. She stayed poised, had some walks but was able to bounce back and attack the next hitter.”
Lake Zurich freshman catcher Camryn Lewandowski also noted Kekstadt’s resilience in the circle.
“Jules never lets the umpire’s strike zone get to her,” Lewandowski said. “Her attitude is always so positive. She lights up the whole field. She kept her head up today.”
Kekstadt, who is batting .392, also helped her cause at the plate.
“I just tried to see ball, hit ball,” she said. “I kept it simple and was hitting early in the count.”
Pieper said she has enjoyed watching Kekstadt’s development over two seasons.
“Juliana’s role last year was to come in and pitch, play right field and just play wherever the team needed her,” Pieper said. “She found her bat in our lineup very quickly. She has been a phenomenal bat for us, hitting the ball hard. Defensively, she does a great job, whether pitcher, first or right field.”
Kekstadt said she wanted to play a larger role this season and put in the work to earn it.
“I went to the camps and a pitching performance program because my goal was to be the starting pitcher,” she said. “I worked consistently on all my pitches and lifted. I really focused on the upcoming season.”
Kekstadt is confident the future is bright for both her and the Bears.
“I know we will only get better, and having to work with a freshman catcher means more years to develop and continue to improve,” she said. “I’m excited.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
