Hanover Central sophomore pitcher, Jillian DeYoung, recognizes the difference between the routine of regular season and the heightened pressure of playoff baseball games.
Senior catcher, Sienna Stilley, a Jacksonville State recruit, often reminds her how pregame preparations differ from the real game situation. “Every postseason warm-up, she has moments of frustration,” Stilley noted. “I remind her, ‘It’s not the game yet. Relax. You don’t need to force anything.’ Once in the game, she shows maturity beyond her years. Her composure and command on the field are akin to what you’d see from NCAA Division I players. She’s performing excellently.”
DeYoung’s prowess was evident in her performance for the Hanover Central Wildcats during their decisive 5-0 victory against Griffith in the Class 3A Hanover Central Regional. Her pitching was stellar with only one hit allowed, 10 strikeouts, and two walks. She even maintained a perfect game through the first four innings.
DeYoung’s contributions weren’t confined to the pitching mound. She delivered at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. This victory marks Hanover Central’s second consecutive regional title and their third in four years. The Wildcats are ranked 10th in the state coaches poll and will face Logansport, ranked second, at the Twin Lakes Semistate in the semifinals.
“It’s incredibly fun,” DeYoung remarked. “I’ve anticipated this moment all year. Our whole team believes in our potential to return to the state championship. Our confidence in each other turns stress into enjoyment.”
Despite facing Griffith, who had not appeared in a regional match since 2016, DeYoung faced her challenges head-on. Although sophomore catcher Laney Poppa walked to start the fifth inning, Griffith couldn’t capitalize further, as DeYoung’s dominance continued.
Victoria Nudo managed a hit in the sixth inning, and Jaida Wheatley drew a walk, yet DeYoung closed the game by retiring the next four batters efficiently.
Hanover Central coach, Sam Antkiewicz, praised DeYoung’s performance. “She played at her peak. She shines in big moments, whether pitching or hitting. She excels under pressure and steps up for important wins.”
The Wildcats cherished DeYoung’s availability this matchup, especially since a shoulder issue had her resting during a past game against Griffith.
“As a team, we weren’t fully aligned in our previous game. We resolved to give our all in preparation for this encounter. We committed ourselves 110% to what we do,” DeYoung explained.
Throughout the season, DeYoung boasts a record of 18-4, a 1.35 ERA, 224 strikeouts, 40 walks, and .360 batting average with three homers and 31 RBIs.
Reflecting on her previous high school season, where she had a record of 7-7, a 1.88 ERA along with batting .362 with four homers and 17 RBIs, DeYoung attributes her growth to improved physical conditioning and understanding the demands of high school sports.
Her coach, Antkiewicz, affirmed, “Learning from last season, she’s honed her skills and mastered care for her physical state. She’s gaining momentum at an ideal time in the season.”