IL Stars Fastpitch - Erickson

WOW! Full extension!!! Unreal @rogers_kendal10 !! ♥️🥎💪🏻 @ILStars2010 @Andy_12121212

Contributions up and down the lineup this weekend, Giada Cervantes (#33 OF Crystal Lake South 2029) going the opposite way, knocking in a run here and extending an inning with a two-out base hit, 7/12/26.

Just one facet of the game for Sophia Esterino (#2 OF Huntley HS 2029); slap threat and great space coverage in CF all weekend, covering the gaps at the LP4U Summer Sizzler.

A couple of key 2B's from Kendal Rogers (#10 1B/OF McHenry HS 2028) on championship Sunday shopped to the gap in LCF and RCF, LP4U Summer Sizzler, St. Charles, IL, 7/12/26.

Some solid infield play this weekend from Sophia Erickson (#4 SS/3B Huntley HS 2028) at the LP4U Summer Sizzler in St. Charles, IL. A couple 6-3 DP's, a nice pump fake FC and some body control on the run.

CHAMPIONSHIP MODE -> activated. Emily Popilek (#9 RHP/1B Jacobs HS 2028) went 4-0 this weekend at the LP4U Summer Sizzler, 22.1 IP, 19 K's, 0 BB, 2 ER.

P.S. You’re never going to make everyone happy. Find your people. Pour into them. Build with them.

Weekend clips coming out, starting with some BIG hits! Karsyn Ledgerwood (#34 RHP/OF Prairie Ridge HS 2029) with two huge 2B's and a two out single that extended an inning for a rally. LP4U Summer Sizzler, 7/12/26.

IL Stars crew 1st LP4U tournament win at the Sizzler in St. Charles. The vocab word for the weekend was "pitching"; Emily Popilek (#9 RHP/1B Jacobs HS 2028) and Alexa Avitia (#14 RHP/INF/OF Huntley HS 2028) carried the load all weekend and combined for 43 IP, 29 K's, 5 BB, 7 ER.

The best hi-lites r those that look like normal plays; the work, persistence and belief in the process leading up to the clip makes it special. Vivi Lara (#7 C/3B/2B Marian Central Catholic HS 2028) with a LD 1B. The roar from the dugout; unscripted excitement for a teammate.

Two big, two-out hits to see here, Emily Popilek (#9 RHP/1B Jacobs HS 2028) first doubles to the RCF gap to go head by 1 run; Harper Wright (#6 C/1B/OF Crystal Lake Central 2028) then singles sharply up the middle to make it a 2-run lead, 7/10/26.

I worked with a D1 player and a D3 player this morning. On paper... They looked almost identical. 6'4 200 pounds... Both had elite bat speed. Both had power. Both were physically gifted. But there was one difference. Every time the D3 player mishit a ball... He complained. He got frustrated. He pouted. Then he'd struggle for the next 3 or 4 swings. Pop-up. Ground ball. Weak contact. The D1 player? He'd mishit one. Make an adjustment ...And move on. No emotion. No drama. Just the next pitch. It reminded me of something I learned playing professional baseball... Sometimes the biggest difference between two players isn't their talent. It's the conversation they're having with themselves in their head after they fail. Your bat speed matters. Your swing matters. But the operating system between your ears matters just as much. The best hitters I've been around don't waste energy explaining why they failed. They spend their energy figuring out what to do on the next pitch. - Jermaine Curtis P.S. The next time you mishit a ball, don't ask, "What's wrong with me?" Ask, "What's my adjustment?" P.P.S. - If you enjoyed this, and thought it was helpful, share it. (It tells me you want more content like this)

Emily Popilek (#9 RHP/1B Jacobs HS 2028) cruising in pool play this weekend, 12 IP, 11 K's, 0 BB, 2 W.

HR! Harper Wright (#6 C/1B/OF Crystal Lake Central 2028) strikes with this drive to right center last night at the LP4U Summer Sizzler in St. Charles, IL, 7/10/26.

It doesn’t matter what level (DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, or JUCO) you dream of playing at. What matters is the level that’s actually recruiting you and putting real offers on the table. And remember… some DIII programs can beat DI programs. Labels don’t always tell the whole story. 🥎

Clutching up at the Great Lakes Firecracker, Dylenn Hultberg (#8 3B Hampshire HS 2028) provided some key hits late in ball games to drive in runs. Dylenn hitting .338 with runners in scoring position for the season, along with 31 RBI and 33 runs scored for the season.

Some Firecracker at bats with Sophia Esterino (#2 OF Huntley HS 2029). Esterino continuing to add slap to her game to leverage her speed; .383 season BA with 49 H, 41 runs scored and .453 OBP.

Rylin Reyna (#99 2B/OF Huntley HS 2029) some AB's from the Great Lakes Firecracker last week. Rylin carries a .344 BA this season to go along with 44 hits and 37 runs scored this season.

A few Reese Hueber (#16 C/SS Sycamore HS 2028) at bats from the Great Lakes Firecracker. A big time power bat for the Stars crew, here in base hit mode leading off or extending two out innings; Reese carries a .482 BA with a team-leading 7 HR.

Firecracker pitching, Emily Popilek (#9 RHP/1B Jacobs HS 2028) some highlights from last week, Emily struck out 13 vs. 0 BB through 16 IP and picked up a win, her 16th of the season. Also one of the leaders at the plate, .421 avg with 69 H and leads the team with 56 RBI.