Pontiac softball plays for state berth just weeks after head coach gives birth to son

PONTIAC, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — It’s been an eventful past month for Pontiac softball coach Nicole Hayner.

Her team has moved within one win of a state berth just two weeks after she gave birth to her second son. Pontiac plays Lemont in Monday’s class 3A super-sectional in East Peoria for the right to go to state.

She was pregnant with her first son Hudson two years ago when Pontiac made it to state for the first time in school history.

“When we announced (the pregnancy), we joked, ‘It happened before, let’s make it happen again.’ One more game and it’s true,” said Hayner. “I can’t thank the coaches enough for stepping up the last two weeks.”

Hayner missed a couple of weeks of the season after she gave birth to her son Owen in early May. But she returned to the team in time to help coach the Indians to a title at the Dunlap regional.

Then her team two thrilling games for the sectional title last week in Washington. Her players think it’s a thrill to be involved in the lives of both her sons.

Elena Krause/Pontiac junior: “We go to her house and visit with her and play with her kids,” said junior pitcher Elena Krause. “They are so awesome seeing that family grow in front of us.”

Pontiac meets Lemont in the East Peoria super-sectional Monday. A win sends Pontiac back to the state finals.

“It’s like a repeat of two years ago,” said senior shortstop Bailey Masching. “She had her baby a little early. We love meeting her kids. They come and hang out with us.”

Her players, of course, suggested names for Hayner’s second son.

“We told her right when she got pregnant, ‘we’re going to state again!’ We wanted her to name him ‘Double Barrel’ for a double barrel practice.” said senior outfielder Maddie Gourley. “But she didn’t name him ‘Double Barrell.'”

Nicole and Nate Hayner opted to name their second son Owen. And now that newborn is helping provide life lessons to the softball team as it marches towards state.

“He was not supposed to arrive until after the season,” Hayner said. “Unexpected things happen. We talk a lot about that. Turning softball into life aspects.”

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