Mixer the Masher: Liberty slugs its way to regional title win

Published 9:37 pm Thursday, May 21, 2026

LIBERTY, Ill. — A new bat is just what Liberty eight-hole hitter Andi Mixer needed going into the postseason.
It brought Mixer good luck in Wednesday’s 11-1 win in the Class 1A Liberty Regional semifinal over Mendon Unity.
“I switched bats and that helped,” said Mixer. “I was a lot more confident today and just knew my team was there for me.”
That good luck carried over to Thursday’s regional championship game, with Mixer hitting two home runs to lead the Eagles to a 11-1 win over Camp Point Central.
“(Mixer) switched bats yesterday and she hit a triple,” said Liberty head coach B.J. Fessler. “We told her you’re keeping that bat in your hands. She hit two home runs and had a walk today. Her slugging percentage has got to be ridiculous with that at bat.”
Mixer’s first home run capped off a six-run first inning, when she connected with a low and outside pitch to deposit it over the fence for a three-run blast.
After drawing a walk in her second at bat, Mixer hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to run-rule the Panthers.
“I knew we were close to the end of the game,” said Mixer. “I wanted to wrap it up. If I got a good pitch, I was going to hit it.”
Mixer’s second home run set off a celebration at home plate for Liberty.
“It was amazing,” said Liberty starting pitcher Chandler John. “She needed that. She needs to have that confidence every time she steps in the batter’s box.”
Chandler John earned the win after pitching five innings with five strikeouts, while allowing four hits, no walks and one earned run.
“Everything was working but my change up,” said Chandler John. “Everything but that pitch was working.”
The lone blemish was when Central’s Emma Stephens singled home Gwen Huston in the third inning.
“Chandler was super efficient and she was hitting her spots,” said Coach Fessler. “She looked really good out there.”
Liberty was determined to start fast and did so in the first inning that started with Weslee John hitting a two-RBI double and later scoring on a wild pitch, along with Mixer’s three-run shot.
“I challenged them last night after the Mendon game after we started off slow,” said Coach Fessler. “I said we need to come out and put some pressure on the other team right away, and they stepped up to the challenge.”
That six-spot in the first inning gave Chandler John all the confidence she needed.
“It gave us some room to breathe, so that we can go out there and play our game and go out and win,” said Chandler John.
Liberty added a run in the second inning when Chandler John singled home Ava Heming and added another when Leila Parkhill scored on an error in the fourth.
Shea Ionson singled home Camdyn Ormond in the at bat prior to Mixer’s second homer.
“I think when we’re hot, we’re hot,” said Mixer. “We didn’t start that great yesterday, so we just came out strong. The first inning showed that.”
Central starting pitcher Ali Stephens pitched four-plus innings and had one strikeout as she took the loss in the circle.
Central finishes the 2026 season with a 7-14 record.
Liberty (20-3) advances to the Class 1A Concord Sectional semifinal game, which will be on Tuesday at 5 p.m. The Eagles will play the winner of Saturday’s Class 1A Concord Regional championship game between Triopia and Tremont.
“We have a really tough game coming up in the semifinal,” said Chandler John. “I think if we play like we’ve been playing, we should be pretty good.”
It was the second regional championship in a row for Liberty, but the Eagles have their eyes on the sectional title this year after falling just short last year.
“They got their mission and they know what they want to accomplish,” said Coach Fessler. “So I challenge them to keep working hard and keep their goal in sight. I know that’s what they are working for.”