Published on July 18, 2025 6:26 am
Last Updated on July 18, 2025 2:16 pm
Grace Lemke Tyler Repking photo
By MILLIE LANGE
Grace Lemke has had a softball and bat in her hands since she was two years old. After growing up loving to play the game, Lemke recently signed to play college softball at Eastern Illinois University.
Her career at Altamont High School has been filled with major statistics.
“I first got interested in softball when my mom gave me a bat and ball at age two,” said Lemke. “I played every park district year at Altamont. I just know I’ve played softball since I could walk.”
She did try other sports but softball has always been the sport she loves.
“I played basketball but learned pretty quickly that it was not my sport,” laughed Lemke. “From sixth grade to high school I also played volleyball and softball, club and school both.”
She didn’t start out as a pitcher.
“When I was growing up I played everywhere. When I started junior high I wasn’t the best pitcher so I played third base.
“Then I moved from third to pitcher and right field when I got older. I did mostly pitching in high school but would play outfield once in a while.”
Lemke racked up 1,165 strikeouts during her career and that was good for being the tops in the state of Illinois and third in the nation for high school athletes. She finished with 416 strikeouts her senior season.
“I like the competition of softball and pitching,” said Lemke. “I like to be in control of the game and what pitches will work. I really like trying to outpitch the hitter.”
Lemke talked about the pitches she has acquired.
“I have a fastball, changeup, curve ball, rise ball, kind of a screwball and a little bit of a drop ball. My mom helped me. I never had a pitching coach. My mom played sports and she was the catcher. My dad helped out when he could.”
Lemke’s parents are Ryan and Tabatha Lemke. She has a brother Ethan who is 20 years old.
“My favorite pitch is 100 percent the rise ball. Very rarely is it not working. I mix it up pretty good. When my rise ball is on, I learned how to move it around. When it’s not working, I have to use a variety of all my pitches.”
Not only has she had help from her parents, she also talked about her coaches.
“Every coach I’ve had has helped me in different ways. Kristin Harvey recruited me for her travel team and she’s the reason I learned the basics and got better.
“My school coaches have been very supportive and my travel coaches have helped me tremendously. They are the reason I have excelled. They were Brad Stury and Payton Cloe. But everyone, coaches and other players, helped me.”
Lemke doesn’t consider herself superstitious but did something during a tournament to help her cause.
“I don’t think I have superstitions. The only thing I can think of is if I had a weekend tournament and did my hair and would do good on the mound, then I’d do my hair the same way.”
Awards along the way in high school were: Freshman year – Rookie of The Year, Sophomore year – Sense award, Junior year – Pitching award, Most Valuable Player and Senior year – Pitching award and Most Valuable Player.
Her junior and senior years she was named the National Trail Conference Most Valuable Player.
Lemke throws consistently around 60 to 65 mph. She did top out one day against St. Anthony at 68.
“I usually start off the beginning of the year strong batting,” said Lemke. “During the middle or later in the year, it’s not very pretty. I did hit a couple of home runs at the beginning of the season but it went downhill from there.”
Local fans will be able to go and watch Lemke at Eastern Illinois University, a Division 1 school. The Panthers were 34-22 on the season last year and won their second Ohio Valley Conference championship in the last three years.
“I originally signed to play at a junior college up by Chicago,” said Lemke. “But unfortunately something happened with the staff. I had talked to Eastern when I wasn’t so successful yet. But they reached out pretty fast when they knew I was losing my other college this year.
“There are absolutely amazing people there. Being there I would have every opportunity being competitive. My teammates and coach will make sure I keep improving.”
When asked about a major in college, Lemke replied, “To be honest I don’t know what I want to do with my life. I’m going to major in sports management and hopefully find something along those lines. I could see myself doing something as a coach or teaching lessons. I feel that is the way to go.
“I wouldn’t be opposed to playing in the professional softball league but ask about how I feel in four years.
“I would like to thank my family, friends and every coach I ever had that has supported me during my softball years.”