To say that Friday was the happiest day in the softball life of Lincoln-Way West’s Reese Rourke would not be an understatement.
Imagine in your second game back after missing almost the entire season, hitting two home runs and leading your team to a history-making victory.
The senior shortstop didn’t have to imagine it. She did it. She lived out a fairytale — and a dream — come true.
“After the first one, I cried a little bit,” Rourke said. “I was just so happy. After the second one, it was pure joy.”
Rourke’s smile said it all after the host Warriors pulled off a 2-1 victory over Lockport in the Class 4A Lincoln-Way West Sectional championship game in New Lenox.
The NC State recruit went 3-for-3 with two homers and a double for Lincoln-Way West (27-7). Paige Seivert added two hits, while Abby Brueggmann earned the pitching victory.
Taylor Lane led Lockport (24-13-1) with three hits. Giavanna DiCiolla contributed an RBI single, while Bridget Faut struck out four.
The sectional title was the first in program history for the Warriors, who play Edwardsville (29-9) at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Illinois Wesleyan Supersectional.
Rourke, meanwhile, wasn’t the only one who became emotional when she hit her first home run in the bottom of the first.
“Oh, my goodness, we were just exploding in the dugout,” Brueggmann said. “It was even better because it was Reese. After she started tearing up, it was so sad. But we were so happy for her.
“Reese is the hardest worker I’ve ever met. She’s my best friend. We spend a lot of time together. I’m probably with her more than I’m with my family. This was great for her.”
It has been a truly remarkable comeback.
Rourke came into the season already holding several offensive team records. She hit a home run in her first game. In the second game, adversity struck.
“I just swung and all of a sudden I couldn’t squeeze my hand,” Rourke. “I was in so much pain.”
Rourke suffered a fracture in her right wrist that required surgery. She batted a few times in early May but had to stop. She played defense but didn’t hit in a game again until Tuesday’s 9-3 sectional semifinal win over Lincoln-Way Central.
In that game, she went 1-for-4 with a double. She wasn’t satisfied.
“I was like, ‘I don’t feel right, I don’t feel right,'” Rourke said. “I thought about what I could do differently. I went home and watched some videos of myself hitting and succeeding.
“I went to bed visualizing what I could do, and I think it really helped me a lot.”
Her dreams then came true. After her home run, Rourke added a double in the top of the third. She made it 2-0 in the top of the sixth with a towering drive over the fence in right field.
It would prove to be just enough for Brueggmann, who pitched tough. She struck out three. More importantly, she stranded nine.
The irony? Rourke was the ace of the Warriors’ pitching staff as a freshman but wanted to play shortstop. Brueggmann has made that possible.
“Oh, I want her there — I need her there,” Rourke said, smiling. “Abby really carries us on the mound. It’s indescribable, honestly.”
Lincoln-Way West coach Heather Novak also got all choked up after Rourke’s big game.
“I was feeling the emotion going back to her seeing me after Game 2 of the season to let me know what was going on with the injury,” Novak said. “My heart broke for her.
“During it all, you would never know. She was so mature, so responsible, just trying to stay in the game and help out her teammates in any way she could. For her to have that moment to be the impact player she has always been … I’m just so happy for her.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
