The softball career of Shepard’s Sarah Kreamalmeyer is winding down to its final weeks.
That doesn’t mean the senior first baseman/pitcher isn’t giving everything she has while enjoying every moment that’s left. The reality, however, is she can see the finish line. And that’s OK.
The time has come to ring the bell.
“It was pretty hard because I’ve been playing since basically T-ball,” said Kreamalmeyer, who is a three-year varsity regular for the Astros. “I just fell out of love with the sport.”
You would have been hard pressed to get that impression Friday afternoon as Kreamalmeyer went out and pitched 10 innings in a 2-1 nonconference victory over host Stagg in Palos Hills.
Kreamalmeyer struck out 14 and retired the last 13 straight hitters for Shepard (10-4). She also singled and was hit by a pitch in four plate appearances.
Senior outfielder Ella Byrne reached on an error twice for Stagg (2-13). She also doubled and scored on a single by junior first baseman Megan Hackett in the sixth inning.
The Shepard player who had the best view of Kreamalmeyer’s performance was junior Kailey Selvage, the usual starter who was playing first base due to a flu bug running through the team.
Shepard’s Sarah Kreamalmeyer fields a short hit and throws to first base for an out against Stagg during a nonconference game in Palos Hills on Friday, April 19, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
“Ten innings — that’s a lot of innings, a ton of pitches,” Selvage said. “The fact she was able to get through it is awesome. I think it was very impressive the way she was able to keep us going, not giving up, staying strong.
“Ten innings? That’s insane.”
Kreamalmeyer is planning to attend Moraine Valley Community College and study elementary education. She’s finishing off a varsity career that began as a sophomore.
Sometimes, when you know, you know, and Kreamalmeyer knows it’s time to step away. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t striving to be a leader in these final few weeks.
“I’ve been on varsity since I was a sophomore, so I’ve had this leadership position for quite a long time now,” she said. “You just try to keep it positive and stay motivated, keep faith in your players.”
Shepard’s Sarah Kreamalmeyer gets ready to the ball against Stagg during a nonconference game in Palos Hills on Friday, April 19, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
The memories are many for Kreamalmeyer, including her first varsity game against Marist. She started at third base in a loss to the powerful RedHawks.
That’s where she played until this season, when sophomore Meghan Potenza took over that position. Potenza, by the way, drove in the winning run against Stagg with a double in the top of the 10th inning that scored junior catcher Madison Scapardine.
Kreamalmeyer shifted across the field to first base and has served as the No. 2 pitcher for the Astros, which is why she found herself in the circle Friday.
Those late innings were tense, according to Shepard coach Kelsey Clifford.
“I checked in on her in the seventh and said, ‘You good? Do we need to switch things up?’” Clifford said. “‘I’m good.’ She was short and stoic with me, and I was like, ‘OK.’ She just kept dealing.”
Shepard’s Sarah Kreamalmeyer (14) walks back to the pitching circle against Stagg during a nonconference game in Palos Hills on Friday, April 19, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
But that is what you would expect from a leader who’s been around the varsity program for years. A seasoned veteran, if you will, although Clifford has another way of putting it.
“She’s an old lady,” Clifford said, eliciting a chuckle from Kreamalmeyer as she picked up her gear to head home. “She just helps us out playing sound defense. Typically, we’ve seen her always at third base, but we needed to switch things up this year.
“We needed to have a voice at first. We’re doing what we’ve got to do.”
Selvage said she has always looked up to Kreamalmeyer as a leader on the team.
“She’s very vocal and supportive as a teammate,” Selvage said. “She has upbeat energy all the time, loud voice. She’s always ready to get us going. She’s our biggest cheerleader out there.”
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
