Normal West softball uses chemistry to get to state finals

Posted on June 9, 2016

By Bryan Bloodworth and Zach Zook

NORMAL – Normal West High School softball coach April Schermann said a spring break trip to Tennessee at the beginning of the season was pivotal to the success and team chemistry for the Wildcats as they prepare for their matchup against Downers Grove South in the Class 4A state semifinals on Friday EastSide Centre in East Peoria.

“They wanted to rent one big house, so I searched and I found a rental home,” Schermann said. “The entire team stayed under one roof and it was such a great experience so early on in the season. It allowed our team to get really close.”

Schermann also cited a loss against Normal Community earlier in the season as one of the keys to the Wildcats success.

“We learned from that game that we can’t go out there and put pressure on ourselves,” she said.

Schermann hopes that the experience will come in handy as the Wildcats prepare to face 35-3 Downers Grove South.

“I think its going to be a great matchup. We’re really excited to be there,” Schermann said.

Game time is 5 p.m. The Illinois High School Assocation moved the game back two hours because of the intense heat that’s expected.

Bryan Bloodworth can be reached at [email protected].

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