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The Belleville East senior right-hander has been one of the area's top pitchers over the last three seasons.

The 5-foot-5 spitfire recently added bowling to her repertoire.

With plenty of success.

Hemmerle finished 16th at the state bowling championships in February and flirted with perfection on the way to posting a 299 score.

Yet she insists that her bowling release has nothing to do with her fluid pitching motion.

"People think it's the same, but it's not," Hemmerle insisted. "I throw a 15-pound bowling ball. So it's actually different."

Different or not, Hemmerle has become proficient in both sports.

She continued her prowess in the circle on Friday afternoon by tossing a four-hitter to lead the Lancers to a 6-1 win over Red Bud in a battle of traditional area powers at Rita Menke Field.

Hemmerle improved to 16-4 with another in a series of strong efforts. She has not allowed an earned run in her last 10 outings covering 46 innings.

"In the last couple weeks she's just really found her groove," Belleville East veteran coach Natalie Peters said. "Because of that, the team just keeps getting better and better."

Hemmerle enjoys flashing her wide array of skills in more than one sport.

She took up bowling during the 2020 pandemic and has improved each year before posting a 202 average at the state tournament.

Yet bowling is still just a hobby for the mighty-mite.

"It's not even close to softball for me," Hemmerle said.

Hemmerle can do a little bit of everything on a softball diamond. She is hitting .494 and has 12 stolen bases with being caught. That surprising speed allows her to run the bases on a regular bases rather than disappear for a courtesy runner.

"Just watching her pitch is so much fun," said Belleville East freshman outfielder Ashlynn Willis, who provided the big blow on Friday.

Hemmerle retired the first 15 batters she faced against Red Bud (16-7) before surrendering two hits and a run in the seventh inning. She was in total control from start to finish in helping the Lancers (19-5) to their tenth successive triumph.

"She pounds the zone and makes you miss," Red Bud coach Brian Boeving said. "Hats off to her, she threw a great game."

Willis, who splits time between the varsity and JV levels, had a pair of hits including a two-run double in the second that broke up a scoreless tie.

"My teammates have been helping me stay calm within myself," Willis said. "They give me confidence."

Belleville East handed Hemmerle all the necessary support with five runs in the second inning. Ella Murphy and Cierra Jones reached safely to start the rally. Willis followed with a two-run drive into the gap in left-center. Reese Brueggeman then added a run-scoring hit. Catcher Zoe Peters pumped the lead to 5-0 with an RBI drive to right.

"I was proud of our effort today," Natalie Peters said. "We wanted to be mentally sharp and I think for most part we were."

Ava Wagner had two hits for Red Bud, which is a small Class 2A school compared to Belleville East, which is in Class 4A.

The Lancers have high postseason aspirations, thanks in part to Hemmerle who has the ability to shut down any opponent.

"Everyone has been locked it," Hemmerle said. "One of our big things this year is focus. We have to keep our whole team focused at all times."

So far, so good.

"I think we'll be fine as long as we keep working together like we have been," Hemmerle said.