Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania’s Columns
  • Advertise
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • Midnight Flight Book
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Two Guys on Politics Podcast: A Centrist View on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • The Arab street Podcast
  • Submit a Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) Wednesday (August 10, 2022 visited Rick and Corey Johnson’s Farm in Monee, IL and held a ‘Barn Hall’ with farmers, growers and food security advocates from the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association, Greater Chicago Food Depository and the USDA Office of Rural Development.
    Rep. Kelly Hosts ‘Barn Hall’ Conversation with Farmers and Food Security Advocates Federal
  • Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and his wife
    Pritzker lives in glass house of money and hypocrisy Blogger
  • Orland Park Trustee Dan Calandriello at a Village of Orland Park Board meeting.
    Candidate Calandriello announces “Biking the 17th” to raise awareness for Cook County Forest Preserves Cook County
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium Cook County
  • Piano. Photo by Dolo Iglesias on Unsplash
    Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock Blogger
  • President George W. Bush walks across the tarmac with NFO Lt. Ryan Phillips to Navy One, an S-3B Viking jet, at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego Thursday, May 1, 2003. Flying to the USS Abraham Lincoln, the President addressed the nation and declared "Mission accomplished" in Iraq to justify diverting forces from Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: Can we win the war in Ukraine? Bill Lipinski
  • Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois
    Kelly, Foster, Newman among those voting to pass Assault Weapons Ban Act Crime
  • Hanania newspaper column on Pritzker pushing for Democratic National COnvention
    Pritzker push for Democratic National Convention could backfire Blogger
  • Fire Truck, Fire District. Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District
    Orland Fire District will maintain “all services” despite delayed county tax collections Cook County
  • Mike Porfirio, Democrat endorsed candidate for 11th Senate District
    Porfirio urges “full investigation” into reported racist rant of local official Cook County
  • New Lenox offers Free CERT training
    New Lenox offers free Disaster Preparedness Training to residents Government
  • Patricia Joan Murphy Worth Township Supervisor
    Partnership Will Offer Economic Development and Employment Support in South Suburbs  Business
  • USO barbecue for the troops 2022
    USO hosts Barbecue for the Troops July 23, 2022 Cook County
  • TikTok Screen shot
    TikTok generates nearly $4 billion in consumer spending Business
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Tough punishment needed in wake of Danny Golden shooting Blogger

ILL-INI in World Series

Posted on June 3, 2019June 3, 2019 By Steve Metsch No Comments on ILL-INI in World Series
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

ILL-INI in World Series

Share fifth in National Club Softball Association event

By Steve Metsch

Pitcher Krystal Levitske won’t forget the experience of playing against the best teams in the nation. And catcher Lauren Engels will long remember the way her teammates pulled together.

The two sophomores were both starters for the University of Illinois team in the National Club Softball Association’s 2019 World Series played May 16-19 in Columbus, GA.

Levitske, of Willow Springs, is a Nazareth Academy graduate, while Engels and freshman Natalie Metsch, both of La Grange, are Lyons Township High School graduates. (Full disclosure: Metsch is this reporter’s daughter.)

The World Series featured the 16 best teams in the nation from 140 teams in the NCSA. Illinois was 22-0 and the top seed going in.

The Illini finished 5-3 in the World Series. They went 2-1 in pool play and then won their first game in bracket play before losing to Michigan, 5-0. That put Illinois into the losers’ bracket. Illinois caught fire, winning twice in the losers’ bracket, before losing 5-3 to Penn State.

That loss on the morning of May 19 eliminated the Illini from contention. Illinois shared fifth place in the World Series with Clemson, which lost to the eventual champ Navy early May 19.

Members of the Illinois Club Softball Team moments after the game that bounced them from the World Series. Illnois won five of eight games, and hopes for a better showing in 2020. Photo by Steve Metsch.

Levitske won’t soon forget her second trip to the World Series.

“I love that tournament. It’s amazing. It’s an opportunity to play teams from different states … That’s really exciting, and to play in warmer weather, obviously,” Levitske said.

Unlike the cold and wet weather of Chicago, Columbus was dry and sunny with temperatures climbing into the 90s.

Levitske pitched against Navy, Michigan, Oregon, Air Force Academy, and Penn State. Navy, which wound up repeating as World Series champ, had the toughest lineup, she said.

“Something we did well this weekend was getting wins as a team, everyone contributing to each of those wins. That was my favorite part,” Levitske said.

Another highlight was pitching all seven innings to beat Air Force, 9-3. A loss there would have eliminated Illinois.

“The Michigan game was a hard loss. Winning the NC State game, coming into Air Force, made things a little easier. Obviously, there was a lot of pressure to win that game, but we were all in it to win it. So, I didn’t feel as much pressure because I knew everyone was there to win,” said Levitske.

Although she and Engels graduated in the same class from St. Cletus School, they never played softball together until they joined the Illinois team.

“I think we work really well together, and it definitely feels like I’ve been catching her more than two years,” Engels said.

Engels said she “had so much fun I didn’t want to leave. Even going back to watch the championship game, (the evening of May 19) I was so happy and excited for the winners.”

About half the team stuck around Sunday to watch Navy beat Ohio State twice to win the World Series.

Engels was impressed by the Navy team.

“Their mindset is completely different than any of the other teams. They don’t let anything faze them. It happens and they let it go. We, obviously, try to do that, but it’s a lot harder for us,” Engels said.

She wondered if Navy’s military training “benefits them and made them hard to beat.”

Engels is a catcher because she enjoys “being in charge and having a view of the whole field … and seeing how each pitcher throws her game.

Engels said the 12-hour drive from Champaign “was really fun” along with staying with her teammates in a Hyatt Place hotel. She enjoyed how the team pulled together on and off the field.

Metsch, who also played softball at Lyons Township and in the La Grange Little League, pinch hit twice. She singled and scored in a 16-0 rout of Northeastern, and flew out against Air Force.

This was the 13thNCSA World Series and the 10thstraight played in Columbus. Illinois won the first two NCSA World Series in 2007 and 2008. Club softball teams are run by the students, not the university.

The teams played at the South Commons Sports Complex in the shadows of the softball stadium used for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games based in Atlanta.

In past years, final round games were played in that stadium, but it is being renovated this year and was not available. These three Illini, and their returning teammates, are planning to play in the stadium in 2020.

Other Chicago-area women on the team were: Melanie Bakotic (New Lenox), Hannah Ban (Palatine), Carolyn Hett (Plainfield), Samantha Hilldale (Libertyville), Jane Moran (Elmhurst), Brianna Schultz (New Lenox), Valerie Sherman (Skokie), Christina Tomala (Lemont), Katherine Trotter (Lincolnshire), Kacie Vlach (Wheaton), and Kimberly Zaucha (Hoffman Estates).

2019 NCSA WORLD SERIES

 

POOL PLAY

Navy 6, Illinois 1

Illinois 16, Northeastern 0

Illinois 7, Oregon 3

 

BRACKET PLAY

Illinois 6, Northwestern 2

Michigan 5, Illinois 0

Illinois 4, North Carolina State 3

Illinois 9, Air Force Academy 3

Penn State 5, Illinois 3

 

 

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock - August 5, 2022
  • Countryside’s concert series returns - June 13, 2022
  • Age is just a number - June 5, 2022
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
News, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Columbus, Georgia, Illinois Club Softball, National Club Softball Association, University of Illinois

Post navigation

Previous Post: Charlotte Checkers beat Chicago Wolves in Game 2 of Calder Cup championship
Next Post: Abele and Milwaukee County will make Bradford Beach “accessible.”

Related Posts

  • Wolves hockey game at Allstate Arena. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Wolves claim first place showdown  News
  • The North 41 aims high Festival
  • WGN TV's moderators Tahman Bradley and Lourdes Duarte
    WGN Mayoral forum gives candidates chance to sparkle Blogger
  • Lyons football seeks answers News
  • Chicago Wolves face-off with Toronto Marlies Nov. 13, 2021
    Chicago Wolves defeat Milwaukee Admirals in comeback Chicago
  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort).
    Illinois Secretary of State’s race is a mess Blogger

More Related Articles

New hires in Bridgeview News
Jennifer Gutierrez Finalist in NHC competition Moraine Valley student represents state at National Honors competition Education
So far, so good News
US Senator Joe Manchin Senator Manchin rejects Build Back Better because of $4.5 trillion cost Federal
Members of the Cicero Emergency Operations Committee have issued at least 10 citations to Cityview Multicare Center for failing to adhere to state executive orders to combat the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Cicero applauds court decision extending TRO protections to City View residents breaking news
Centennial Park Aquatic Center. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Orland Park’s Centennial Park Aquatic Center Earns Top Safety Rating Briefs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and his wife
    Pritzker lives in glass house of money and hypocrisy
    August 11, 2022
  • Piano. Photo by Dolo Iglesias on Unsplash
    Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock
    August 5, 2022
  • President George W. Bush walks across the tarmac with NFO Lt. Ryan Phillips to Navy One, an S-3B Viking jet, at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego Thursday, May 1, 2003. Flying to the USS Abraham Lincoln, the President addressed the nation and declared "Mission accomplished" in Iraq to justify diverting forces from Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: Can we win the war in Ukraine?
    August 3, 2022
  • 17t year old Hadi Abuatelah runs after Oak Lawn police stopped the vehicle he was in asking him to leave a suspicious looking bag in the back seat. Instead, Abuatelah took the bag and tried to run but was caught and beaten to force him to let go of the bag
    Arabs and Muslims wrongly rush to judgment in Oak Lawn police beating of teenager
    August 3, 2022
  • Hanania newspaper column on Pritzker pushing for Democratic National COnvention
    Pritzker push for Democratic National Convention could backfire
    July 29, 2022
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Tough punishment needed in wake of Danny Golden shooting
    July 20, 2022

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • Police Squad Car, courtesy of Wikipedia Two passengers killed in... Two passengers killed in car-semi collision in Bridgeview Bridgeview Polic... posted on July 16, 2022
  • car crashed through the front window of CosmoProf at 9109 W. 151st Street in Orland Park on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 11:45 AM. Vehicle crashes into Orla... Vehicle crashes into Orland Park cosmetic store front A car crashed throug... posted on July 19, 2022
  • Stolen vehicle recovered... Stolen vehicle recovered, offender arrested in Orland Park car theft On Fr... posted on July 18, 2022
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash Tough punishment needed i... Tough punishment needed in wake of Danny Golden shooting Society must dema... posted on July 20, 2022
  • Felon Donzel Jenkins charged with armed weapons possession in Orland Park July 22, 2022 Orland Park Police arrest... Orland Park Police arrest armed felon charged with weapons possession and v... posted on July 23, 2022
  • NEWS
  • Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) Wednesday (August 10, 2022 visited Rick and Corey Johnson’s Farm in Monee, IL and held a ‘Barn Hall’ with farmers, growers and food security advocates from the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association, Greater Chicago Food Depository and the USDA Office of Rural Development.
    Rep. Kelly Hosts ‘Barn Hall’ Conversation with Farmers and Food Security Advocates
    August 11, 2022
  • Hastings files lawsuit against Frankfort police after politicized domestic violence report released
    August 10, 2022
  • Orland Park Trustee Dan Calandriello at a Village of Orland Park Board meeting.
    Candidate Calandriello announces “Biking the 17th” to raise awareness for Cook County Forest Preserves
    August 10, 2022
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium
    August 7, 2022
  • Piano. Photo by Dolo Iglesias on Unsplash
    Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock
    August 5, 2022
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Winning complex trials to be subject of CLE at Jeffery Leving law firm
    August 1, 2022
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • TikTok Screen shot
    TikTok generates nearly $4 billion in consumer spending
    July 21, 2022
  • Netflix is the best streaming service, despite drop in stock price
    April 20, 2022
  • Book Cover "Laptop from Hell" by Miranda Devince
    Questions remain unanswered about Hunter Biden’s ties to Ukraine
    February 20, 2022

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium
    August 7, 2022
  • Stefan Noesen, Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves Noesen wins President’s Award
    July 22, 2022
  • SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview
    Chicago Fire sets dates for “home games” at SeatGeek Stadium because of date conflicts with Soldier Field and Bears
    July 22, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves celebrate Calder Cup Championship 2022. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Calder Cup Champions Chicago Wolves sign two veterans forwards
    July 18, 2022
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Hastings files lawsuit against Frankfort police after politicized domestic violence report released
    August 10, 2022
  • Senior Care Home, eberhard 🖐 grossgasteiger on social or copy the text below to attribute.
    Nursing Home Violations for First Quarter of 2022
    June 7, 2022
  • John B. Schulz, 36, of the 7400 block of Brookside Drive in Hanover Park
    Hanover Park Man Charged with Multiple Felonies After Attempt to Meet Minor for Sex
    May 27, 2022
  • State Rep Fran Hurley 35th district
    Hurley-led Measure to Support Families of Fallen First Responders Signed by Governor
    May 24, 2022
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
Two Guys on PoliticsTwo Guys on Politics

John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications
  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Patricia Joan Murphy Worth Township Supervisor
    Partnership Will Offer Economic Development and Employment Support in South Suburbs 
    July 25, 2022
  • TikTok Screen shot
    TikTok generates nearly $4 billion in consumer spending
    July 21, 2022
  • Agave Cocina and Tequila Bar at 6050 W. 159th Street on Oak Forest, Illinois
    Restaurant Review: Agave Cocina in Oak Forest
    July 10, 2022
  • Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois
    House passes two bills sponsored by Congresswoman Newman to support small businesses and strengthen trade
    June 9, 2022
Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme