PEORIA — Antioch freshman left fielder Rylee Dunlavy hasn’t been fazed by any pressure to succeed this season.
After starring in flag football and competing in wrestling, Dunlavy was touted as one of the elite softball players in her class nationwide, and she has started for the Sequoits from day one.
“I just try to play my game and not worry about what anybody else is saying,” she said. “I know I want it very bad and just try to play to the best of my ability.”
Dunlavy, who has batted .375 since May 1, may be saving her best for last.
Dunlavy went 2-for-3 with an RBI triple, stole two bases and scored twice to spark Antioch’s 6-1 win over Dunlap in a Class 3A state semifinal at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex on Friday.
Dunlavy’s triple was part of a four-run first inning for the Sequoits (33-3), who will play Chatham Glenwood (29-2) or Fenwick (22-11) in the state championship game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. It will be the third appearance in the state final in four years for the Sequoits, who are seeking their first state title.
“Rylee is just exceptional,” Antioch coach Anthony Rocco said. “She is a freak athlete, which is the best way to describe her. She’s fast, strong, and steals bases. She had two good hits today and stole a base.
“She doesn’t get cheated at the plate. She wrist-shotted a ball to the fence today.”
Freshman first baseman Kylie Pfleeger also hit a triple against the Eagles (30-9), driving in two runs, and freshman ace Pearl Wenzel allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out two in seven innings to improve her record to 16-0.
Senior designated player Kailyn Bockwoldt also had two hits with an RBI for Antioch, and senior catcher Addison Webb, a Bradley recruit, hit a two-run single.
Dunlavy, who secured the victory by catching a short pop fly for the final out, raised her batting average to .288 with 26 RBIs, 31 runs scored and 24 stolen bases. She showed great plate discipline against Dunlap senior pitcher Sutton Centoni, an Illinois recruit.
“I was just trying to help my team and put the ball in play and find a hole,” Dunlavy said. “I think I did really well today. I had a rough start to the season, but I’ve warmed up to the pitching and gotten a lot better.”
Dunlavy has impressed senior third baseman Samantha Hillner, a UIC recruit who also started as a freshman.
“I think she’s very relaxed here and just does her job,” Hillner said. “She doesn’t let pressure affect her.”
Dunlavy credits her background in multiple sports.
“Sports is my passion,” she said. “That’s what I like to do in my free time. That’s all I do in my free time.”
Dunlavy is part of another wave of talented freshmen for the Sequoits.
“We have great team chemistry, and I’m excited to see where we go,” she said. “The seniors impacted me a lot. I think I have a big future ahead of me and am excited to see where it goes.
“All of our freshmen have made a big impact on the team. I think it’s just the next generation feeding in.”
Rocco is looking forward to more contributions from Dunlavy.
“She will help carry this program for the next three years,” he said.
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
