The game isn’t as easy as 1-2-3, but sophomore second baseman Adalynn Fugitt sometimes just makes it seem that way for Oswego.
That’s because Fugitt, the Panthers’ talented leadoff hitter, is what coach Annie Scaramuzzi calls a true triple threat at the plate. That’s exactly what the defending state champs needed Wednesday.
“It takes one ball to change a game,” Fugitt said with a knowing nod. “I was seeing it was up in the zone because their pitcher throws a lot of riseballs. Teammates were talking about it all game.
“In that case, you try to keep your hands high and be willing to go to all fields.”
Fugitt, a left-handed slapper with surprising power, did just that.
She drove the ball off the left field fence for an RBI triple, igniting a two-run rally that carried Oswego to a 2-1 win over Naperville Central in a Class 4A Yorkville Sectional semifinal.
Two batters later, senior designated hitter Besty Jack nailed a smash through a drawn-in infield that scored Fugitt and advanced the Panthers (20-11) to a 4:30 p.m. Friday championship game against Plainfield East (21-6).
“She hit that ball really hard,” Scaramuzzi said of Fugitt’s triple. “That’s what makes Adalynn so good. She can lay down a bunt, drop a slap in front of the defense or power it through and hit it over the fence. You never know what you’re going to get, but that’s what makes her so good.
“I was happy to see her swing away with a runner in scoring position. Our game plan with her is always, whatever you’re most comfortable with, it’s up to you.”
Fugitt, who earlier executed a drag bunt single, is now batting .478 with 55 hits and 28 RBIs.
“It was my power swing,” Fugitt said.
It was a bitter loss for Naperville Central (25-1), which had a solo home run to center field in the third inning from sophomore outfielder Fiona Brown taken away that erased a possible 2-0 lead.
Oswego appealed, saying that Brown missed second base. After conferring, the umpires agreed, ruling her out.
“I for sure thought she stepped over the base,” Fugitt said. “Our coaches saw it right away and were coming out.”
Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum couldn’t believe it.
“I thought she touched it,” Nussbaum said. “I’ve never seen that call. I’ve had more than one person say we have video evidence she touched the bag.
“You better be 10,000% sure she didn’t touch the bag if you make that call. Having said that, we still had a chance to win.”
Winning pitcher Jaelynn Anthony escaped a one-out jam with runners on second and third in the top of the fifth when junior leadoff hitter Cali Lenz, the DuPage Valley Conference’s player of the year, hit a line drive to senior shortstop Kennedy Gengler, who turned it into a double play.
“Aside from the home run, that was the hardest ball hit all day,” Nussbaum said. “It’s disappointing. Would it have been a different outcome if it had been 2-0? We’ll never know.”
Jack, who now has a team-high 38 RBIs, finally figured out Naperville Central junior right-hander Avery Miller after striking out in her first two at-bats.
“I was trying to do too much,” Jack said. “When I do that, I get in my head and usually pop out. That riseball was getting to me.”
Fugitt pointed out that she and Jack have played on the right side of the infield with the Oswego Liberty since she was 8. She also plays shortstop and third in travel.
“Whoever gets her is going to be real lucky,” Scaramuzzi said of Fugitt playing in college. “She can do it on defense. She can do it at the plate. She’s an all-around athlete.”
