Baranek: Beecher's Class 2A state softball championship includes a true community celebration

I had the pleasure to sit down Tuesday at Beecher’s softball field and talk with pitcher Kayla Hon, catcher Adrianna Picicco and third baseman Gabrielle Lee.

The three seniors told some great stories.

The best didn’t really have anything to do with the games the Bobcats won this past weekend in East Peoria to earn their second Class 2A state title in three years.

The ones that really resonated dealt with the love the girls received from the community and the love they gave back.

The Bobcats and coach Kevin Hayhurst did something pretty special before they left for the state finals.

“We visited the nursing home here in Beecher,” Picicco said. “Coach (Hayhurst’s) father is there, and there is a super fan of ours who also is there. We got them shirts and hats. They were really excited.”

Indeed, a Beecher softball game is a community gathering, young and old.

“For this town, softball is really big with the younger girls,” Picicco said. “Everyone is so involved. And it’s not just the little kids.

“We have elderly supporters who come to every game. They are in their 80s and 90s and they car pool together to games. We took a picture with them at the state finals with the title trophy because everyone shows so much support.”

We also talked about big moments at state. One that stood out happened in Friday’s semifinal game against Rockridge.

The two teams were in a dogfight, tied 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning, when Picicco batted with the bases loaded and two outs.

Picicco worked the count to 3-2 before facing an internal challenge.

“I really had to be patient and that is anything but the kind of person I am,” Picicco said. “I was not expecting her to throw a ball. If anything, I thought she might let one slip down the middle.”

Ball four was high and outside.

“I just thought, ‘Thank God I didn’t swing,’” Picicco said, laughing. “That was a mental victory for me.”

It also gave Hon a shot of adrenaline. The right-handed pitcher gave up a three-run homer in the top of the sixth – one of the few postseason mistakes she has made in her career.

“Actually, it didn’t surprise me that a girl got hold of one because they are all such great hitters,” Hon said. “But I knew we still had a chance because our batters were just as good. After that walk, it made us more confident going into the last inning.”

Hon retired the side in the top of the seventh, getting the last batter on a full count, called third strike.

The next day, Hon fired a two-hit shutout as the Bobcats beat Pinckneyville 8-0. The two pitching victories left her with an 18-1 career record in postseason play.

Lee, who had hits in both games, smiled when I suggested that Hon’s shutdown pitching has probably put her to sleep a few times at third base.

“It’s definitely a reassurance to everyone in the infield and outfield,” Lee said. “We know that Kayla is a strong person we can count on to get us out of tough situations. Any team would be lucky to have her.”

Olivet Nazarene will have Hon next season, and Lee plans to play at Roosevelt. Picicco will concentrate on studies at Valparaiso.

Beecher will still have Hayhurst.

“Being with coach ‘Hay’ for four years and in middle school, too, has helped round us as players,” Lee said. “We know what he expects from us, and it makes us mentally and physically better.”

They sure did deliver.