Hanover Central’s DeYoung Shines in Playoff Victory

Hanover Central’s sophomore pitcher, Jillian DeYoung, understands the difference between regular-season games and the playoffs. Senior catcher Sienna Stilley, committed to Jacksonville State, often reminds her of this distinction. Stilley said, “Every warmup we’ve had in the postseason, she’s been hard on herself. I tell her, ‘It’s not the game yet; relax. You don’t need to overexert yet.’ When the game starts, she becomes incredibly composed, showcasing maturity beyond her years as a sophomore. She commands the field like any NCAA Division I player I’ve seen. She’s doing great.”

DeYoung indeed performed exceptionally during Hanover Central’s 5-0 win over Griffith, co-champion of the Greater South Shore Conference, in the Class 3A Hanover Central Regional. She delivered a one-hit game with 10 strikeouts and two walks, maintaining a perfect game into the fifth inning. Her impact extended to batting, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, aiding Hanover Central in clinching their second consecutive regional title and their third in four years.

DeYoung prepares to play in the Class 3A state championship next season. Hanover Central (23-6), ranked No. 10 in the state, will face No. 2 Logansport (27-1) in the Twin Lakes Semistate semifinals at 10 a.m. on Saturday. “It’s exciting,” DeYoung remarked. “I’ve anticipated this season all year, and our belief in ourselves bolsters our team’s confidence, adding excitement rather than pressure.”

In discussing her team, DeYoung praised their defense as a “brick wall” as she walked Laney Poppa, allowing Griffith’s first base runner. Victoria Nudo secured Griffith’s initial hit in the sixth inning, but DeYoung stayed strong, retiring the final four batters. Hanover Central coach Sam Antkiewicz commented, “Griffith put up a good fight. DeYoung was on her ‘A’ game, performing her best when needed. She’s a true competitor, stepping up in crucial moments.”

DeYoung was also notable offensively, contributing a key two-run single in the second inning. “I was confident in myself and my team, knowing our hard work pays off,” she explained. “We’ve been concentrating on batting because Camryn Young is a skilled pitcher. I focused on swinging decisively and aiming for contact against her challenging pitches.”

Coach Antkiewicz expected DeYoung’s offensive capabilities, stating, “She’s reliable for crucial hits, catching opponents off guard with her striking prowess. We value that.”

Previously troubled by shoulder pain, DeYoung sat out a previous game against Griffith. “Our team wasn’t at our best back then,” DeYoung mentioned. “Before our recent matchup, we committed to giving our all to avoid another loss.”

DeYoung’s stats improved markedly; she boasts an 18-4 record with a 1.35 ERA, 224 strikeouts, and 40 walks over 130 innings. Her batting average rose to .360, including three homers and 31 RBIs. Comparatively, as a freshman, she posted a 7-7 record with a 1.88 ERA along with 165 strikeouts, batting .362 and hitting four homers with 17 RBIs. “She’s strengthened and remained diligent,” Antkiewicz noted. “Understanding her body’s needs throughout a high school season improved her performance.”