After plenty of solid sports performers over the last week, here are the Journal Star high school girls athlete of the week nominees for May 25-30, presented by CEFCU.
Head to www.pjstar.com/sports to vote. The poll closes at noon Friday. Information about the 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.
Sophie Walker, Washington softball
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.
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: Softball and soccer heroes: Vote for Journal Star girls athlete of the week for May 25-30
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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