The grounder rolled slowly toward shortstop.
It could have been of those “ugh” moments that leave many batters frustrated.
But Lincoln-Way Central’s Bella Olmos, a senior second baseman, had other thoughts in her head after what would be one of the most important swings of her career.
“I saw that it was going to be in between short and third,” Olmos said. “I just ran as fast as I could. Leading off the inning, I knew I had to run hard. I had to beat out that ground ball. I was hustling.”
She sure was. And she did beat it out. That was just the beginning of a joyous journey around the bases that ended with her scoring the walk-off winning run.
Olmos, a Dominican recruit, was one of several heroes for the host Knights in their 2-1 victory over Lockport in the Class 4A Lincoln-Way Central Sectional championship game in New Lenox.
Josephine Jager finished with three hits, including the game-clinching single for Lincoln-Way Central (33-4). Olmos had two hits, while Kayla Doerre added a big double. Florida State-bound ace Bella Dimitrijevic struck out 12 and pitched a two-hitter.
Rheanna Slavicek went 2-for-2 with a walk for Lockport (28-9). Bridget Faut struck out eight.
Lincoln-Way Central will meet Marist at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Rosemont Supersectional.
Lincoln-Way Central’s Bella Olmos connects in the bottom of the seventh against Lockport during the Class 4A Lincoln-Way Central Sectional championship game in New Lenox on Friday, May 31, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Olmos had to use her speed throughout the bottom of the seventh inning. Following her leadoff infield single, she scurried to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Alexis Youngren.
With two on and one out, Olmos made it to third on a groundout by Doerre. That brought up Jager.
“I was excited the whole time but also a little bit nervous,” Olmos said. “But when there was a timeout, we got to meet. We just said to have fun and enjoy every moment.”
When Jager smashed a single up the middle, Olmos cruised home easily.
“It was a great feeling,” Olmos said. “I knew Josie was going to come through and get a hit. She’s been doing it the whole season. It was the best feeling to cross the plate.
“I’m so excited we get to advance.”
Lincoln-Way Central’s Josephine Jager delivers the walk-off hit against Lockport in the Class 4A Lincoln-Way Central Sectional championship game in New Lenox on Friday, May 31, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
For Jager, it was a bit of revenge. In last season’s sectional final, the host Porters prevailed 1-0 with a run in the bottom of the seventh.
“Even before the game started, we knew we owed them one from last year,” Jager said. “So we were going in for it.”
She couldn’t have asked for a more dramatic stage.
“I’m never really nervous when I’m at bat,” Jager said. “But this one I knew I had to get it done, right now. This (was) last time I’m stepping on this field. I wanted to know that I did the job.”
Olmos has been a steady producer near the bottom of the batting order for the Knights. She’s hitting .321 with five home runs and 15 RBIs.
“It’s been a great season,” Olmos said. “I’ve been taking as many opportunities as I can get and trying to make good use out of them. Even though I’m at the bottom, it doesn’t bring me down.
“I’m happy to be wherever I’m at.”
Lincoln-Way Central’s Bella Olmos gets ready to score the winning run against Lockport in the Class 4A Lincoln-Way Central Sectional championship game in New Lenox on Friday, May 31, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
There’s more to her than speed, too. In an April 17 game against Bradley-Bourbonnais, she hit three home runs.
Lincoln-Way Central coach Jeff Tarala was a bit bedazzled.
“One of those homers was one of the farthest I have seen at our field,” Tarala said. “It was ridiculous. But Bella’s been great for us like that all year.
“She’s been important for us, no doubt about it. Obviously, in the last inning, getting on base and using her speed, then she scored the winning run. We wouldn’t have won it without her.”
Dimitrijevic will second that sentiment.
“She’s not recognized enough as she should be,” Dimitrijevic said of Olmos. “She’s a great second baseman, and she gets hits when we really need them. She’s just an amazing player.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
