Some players step up to the plate dozens of times before they hear that sweet crack of the bat and watch a ball sail over the fence. For Lake Central sophomore Cali Ramirez, that moment came when she least expected it—and against the toughest competition imaginable.
As a varsity rookie with limited at-bats this season, Ramirez hadn't yet hit her first home run. But during Tuesday's Duneland Athletic Conference showdown against defending Class 4A state champion Crown Point, everything changed. The ball soared over center field, and even then, Ramirez wasn't taking any chances.
"I felt it," she said with a grin. "I was like, 'Yeah, it's gone.' I felt great. But I was sprinting to first. I was like, 'Wait, that might be gone, let's go.' It felt great, especially against our rival."
That first varsity homer wasn't just a personal milestone—it sparked a six-run second inning for the No. 1 Indians (24-0, 12-0), who are now all but guaranteed their fourth straight conference title. Lake Central crushed Crown Point 9-0 in St. John, a statement win against the team that topped the state last season.
Ramirez, who hit an impressive .646 with two homers on junior varsity last year, has adjusted to the faster pace of varsity play this season. But she credits her teammates for making the transition smooth.
"My teammates are always just so supportive. It's great to see," she said. "It's been a little different this year. It's been a quicker speed. But all of the upperclassmen have really taken me under their wing and shown me the varsity way. They're all like my big sisters."
Those "big sisters" also delivered at the plate. Senior second baseman MaKayla Van Vossen—a DePaul recruit—led off a three-run first inning with an opposite-field blast to left-center for her fifth homer of the season. Senior first baseman Sofia Beals, a Roosevelt recruit, crushed a three-run shot in the second for her ninth home run. In fact, Lake Central has launched an incredible 62 home runs this season.
But it was Ramirez's moment that stood out. Beals put it best: "That was amazing. Cali's a great person. I love Cali. She always is kind. She always is ready to go. She deserved that."
Ramirez, who has 39 plate appearances and batted eighth in the lineup, proved that depth and talent run deep on this Indians squad. With senior shortstop Lexi Iwema—an Indiana recruit who holds Lake Central's single-season home run record—leading the charge, this team is built for October.
For Ramirez, the first homer is one she'll never forget. And for Lake Central fans, it's a glimpse of the bright future ahead.