Sophie Walker of the Washington softball team was voted the Journal Star high school girls athlete of the week for May 25-30, presented by CEFCU.
The sophomore sent Washington to the Elite Eight with one swing of the bat. Walker hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in lifting Washington to a 3-2 sectional title win over Champaign Central at Lincoln on May 29. In the bottom of the sixth, Walker came up with two outs and two on and proceeded to hit a 1-2 pitch over the center-field fence. That homer sent Washington to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2021.
The poll closed at noon Friday. Information about the other nominees is below.
If you have a nominee for the honor, email us at sports@pjstar.com or tag us on X @pjstarsports. Last week, Lexie Dallinger-Eaker of the Peoria Notre Dame softball team was named JS girls athlete of the week.
Reese Legaspi, Brimfield/Elmwood softball
The sophomore provided B/E with an offensive sparkplug last week. Legaspi hit .625 (5-for-8) as the Indians won a Class 2A sectional for a second consecutive season. Her week concluded on Friday, May 29 with a 2-for-4 day highlighted by two-run double in beating Port Byron Riverdale 8-1 for the sectional title. This came on the heels of a 3-for-4 performance on Wednesday, May 27 as part of a 6-1 sectional semifinal win over Peoria Notre Dame.
Gabby Drake, Dunlap softball
The senior came with a strong bat and steady glove as Dunlap won its first sectional since 1992. Drake’s sacrifice fly provided the Eagles with the eventual game-winning run to beat Ottawa 2-1 in a LaSalle-Peru Sectional semifinal on Tuesday, May 26. Her RBI scored Addie Reed in the sixth inning. Drake, who is the catcher, caught 14 errorless innings, including a flawless 10-0 sectional final win over host L-P. She handled 230 total pitches with no mistakes.
Adly Hilt, Morton soccer
The junior helped Morton continue a state-record streak with a sectional title. Hilt was the goalkeeper as host Morton beat Dunlap 5-0 for a Class 2A sectional title on May 29. Her goaltending and the Morton defense pitched their 19th consecutive shutout. That shutout victory also extended Morton’s win streak to 10 in a row.
The Potters (24-1-1) will now play Waterloo (21-2-0) in a supersectional on Tuesday, June 2.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Washington softball player named Journal Star girls athlete of the week for May 25-30, presented by CEFCU
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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By Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star | USA TODAY Network
