Lake Central first baseman Grace Renschen appreciated the honor but wanted to share it.

Renschen received the Class 4A Mental Attitude Award following Lake Central’s 4-1 loss to Indianapolis Roncalli in the state championship game on Saturday. The award is given to the senior who best demonstrates a good mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability.

“It’s really a great honor,” she said. “But it’s not just me. It’s our whole team. Everyone has a good mental attitude. So I accept the award for my team, not just myself.”

She paused, before adding: “I also think I earned it.”

Indeed, Renschen missed the better part of two seasons because of injury before returning with a flourish in a revamped role this season. Even if last season hadn’t been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, she wouldn’t have been able to play.

Renschen underwent two surgeries, including one involving the removal of one of her ribs. She had been experiencing pain and numbness in her right arm and was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome.

“It was a long road,” she said. “I’m just happy I’m healthy and was able to play at all.”

Renschen played at a high level. She hit .376 with team highs of seven homers and 37 RBIs, was named third-team all-state and was selected as a North All-Star. She went 1 for 3 with a double against Roncalli star Keagan Rothrock in the state championship game.

Renschen was 2 for 16 in her career entering this season. As a freshman in 2018, when Lake Central also reached the state final, Renschen backed up then-senior ace Alexa Pinarski, an Indiana Miss Softball finalist and a current assistant coach.

Renschen focused on offense this season with classmate Peyton Pepkowski, a Loyola recruit and Miss Softball finalist who starred in the circle.

Renschen, who has a 4.2 GPA, will attend Saint Mary’s, where she’s slated to pitch. She plans to study neuroscience and possibly work in pediatric medicine.

“Everything that kid’s gone through in the last two years ... she’s the definition of Mental Attitude Award,” Lake Central coach Jeff Sherman said. “The work she does with our special education students is just flat-out dynamite. She’s a wonderful student, great athlete, just an incredible kid to coach. I’m going to miss that kid immensely.”

Good glove work: Lake Central had two errors Saturday but also made several outstanding plays to give itself a chance.

In the second inning, senior third baseman and Eastern Illinois recruit Mikayla Creasbaum made a diving catch on a bunt.

Also in that inning, freshman center fielder Jolie Adams made a running basket catch in right-center, crossing with junior right fielder Kiley Conner, before firing a strike to Renschen at first to complete a double play.

Adams also made a leaping, over-the-shoulder catch near the fence to end the sixth.

Junior shortstop Sydney Doloszycki snagged a sinking liner on her backhand side to open the fourth. Doloszycki, who also made a nice play on a grounder in the third, had a walk and a single in her first two plate appearances, both after forcing full counts.

“Sydney proved she’s the all-state softball player she is,” Sherman said. “Her and I were talking before the third at-bat: ‘I don’t think she has anything left to throw you. She’s already thrown the kitchen sink at you.’

“So very proud of Sydney. She played great defense, as well. Just a top-notch kid, and I’m so thankful I get her for another year.”

Praise from Pepkowski: As a pitcher, Pepkowski had a certain appreciation for Rothrock’s performance Saturday.

“She’s a great pitcher,” Pepkowski said. “Everybody’s heard of her, and she definitely lived up to it.”