Michael Osipoff

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Michael Osipoff

Crown Point senior outfielder Sam Dunlap paid her dues. Now Dunlap is reaping the rewards to the highest degree. In her second season as a starter, she has stepped to the forefront as the Bulldogs have reached the Class 4A state championship game. “It’s crazy,” she said. “Especially being a senior and this being my last time playing softball, it’s definitely the best way to go out.

3 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Michael Osipoff

Crown Point freshman Hayden Brock seemed nonplussed. For Brock, a narrow window between practices for softball and for track and field on Thursday was par for the course. She has contributed considerably to the softball team’s regional title and has qualified for the state meet in the shot put. “That poor child trying to balance that schedule,” Crown Point softball coach Angie Richwalski said with a laugh. “I don’t know how she does it.

3 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Michael Osipoff

Valparaiso catcher Max Reaume saw different paths to take this season. The choice was a no-brainer for the Wingate commit, who is one of 13 seniors on the Vikings’ roster. Reaume decided to have fun. “The big thing for me, I’m already committed to college, and this is just the last ride with my guys,” he said. “I’ve been playing with most of these kids since longer than I can remember. Getting to play with them one last season, one last time, has taken all the pressure off. It’s fun.

3 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Michael Osipoff

A strong wind blowing in probably prevented Crown Point’s Ashlyn Kita from rounding the bases for a second time on Tuesday night. Instead, the junior third baseman settled for a run-scoring double in addition to her three-run homer during the Class 4A regional championship game against Chesterton. “I was just up there making sure I had confidence and just swinging at my pitches,” Kita said. That has been the DePaul recruit’s approach all season.

3 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Michael Osipoff

As is often the case, Caden Quigg got things going for Highland on Monday night. The senior center fielder said that was part of the plan against Bishop Noll in the Class 3A East Chicago Central Sectional championship game at Block Stadium. “We knew from the jump, right away, we had to put it on them, and we weren’t going to let go,” he said. Quigg led off the first inning with a single and scored the game’s first run. Later in the inning, he walked with the bases loaded to force in another run.