Leon connects for Grayslake North
Rivalry week for Brianna Leon started with her picking Notre Dame over Southern Cal on Wednesday.
“It was a tough decision, but I want to (study) business and (Notre Dame’s) program is really awesome,” said Leon, a three-year, three-sport varsity athlete who might opt for intramurals in South Bend. After Grayslake North’s last semester, she ranked No. 2 in her senior class. She scored a 33 on her ACT.
Rivalry week for Leon ended in grand fashion.
Her first career grand slam blew open a 3-1 game and sparked Grayslake North to a 12-5 win over visiting Grayslake Central on Saturday.
“I was so proud of her,” said coach Molly Jones, whose Knights wore pink T-shirts and pink socks on their ‘Strike Out For Cancer’ game.
“It’s a moment that you hope they get before they graduate, and she did. For that to happen to a kid like that, who works so hard and tries her best 100 percent of the time, you couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Grayslake North improved to 8-5 overall and 3-2 in the Fox Valley Conference, while Grayslake Central fell to 8-13 and 4-7 with its fourth straight loss. The Rams, who were playing their sixth game in as many days, managed just 5 hits (all singles).
“It was tough for us because we played every day this week,” Grayslake Central coach Abbey Tadelman said. “Offensively, we just did not have energy. When you don’t practice, you don’t have a lot of opportunities to get better.”
Grayslake North, which hadn’t played since a loss to Crystal Lake Central on Monday, came ready to hit.
After Grayslake Central grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first on Caitlin Flary’s two-out RBI single, Grayslake North took the lead with 3 runs in the second. Brooke Tracy slapped an RBI infield single to tie the score, and 2 runs scored when Jordyn Bowen (2-for-5) hit a groundball that was misplayed for an error.
Kristina Gandy started a third-inning rally for the Knights with a one-out double off the right-field fence. After a popout, a walk to Nikki Livengood and a single by Jessica Davis loaded the bases for Leon.
She connected on a 3-2 pitch from Rams starter Claire Brennan and launched the ball well over the fence in left.
“Off the bat, I felt awesome,” Leon said. “Going up to the plate, I was like, ‘Man, how awesome would that be (to hit a grand slam)?’ And then it happened.”
It was Leon’s second home run of the season. The first came against visiting Woodstock North recently.
“Everyone was giving me a hard time because I was like sprinting around the bases,” Leon said with a laugh. “So this time when I hit it over, it was more relaxing.”
Gandy played long ball an inning later, after Kelsey Borders led off with a walk. Gandy kept up her hot hitting in the fifth with a long RBI double to right.
“Her bat’s coming around,” Jones of her junior first baseman/pitcher, who’s in her third varsity season. “She struggled a bit at the beginning, but she’s gotten a little more comfortable up there.”
Gandy finished 3-for-4 with her trio of extra-base hits.
“Today I felt really good,” Gandy said. “I went to the batting cages and I felt that really helped. But knowing that I have my team behind me also takes the pressure off so I can just relax.”
The slap-hitting Tracy went 4-for-4 with a pair of bunt singles from the No. 9 spot in the order, where she’s been hitting all year for the Knights.
“I like her batting in the ninth spot so that we come back to Jordyn Bowen (at the top of the order),” Jones said. “Both are slappers and possible power hitters, as well, and their speed on the bases really helps us.”
Knights freshman Livengood pitched 4 innings for the win. Gandy relieved her with the bases loaded and two out in the fifth, with the Knights up 9-4. Tayler Janda coaxed a walk to force in the Rams’ fourth run of the frame.
But Knights third baseman Borders squeezed Brennan’s line drive to prevent further damage.
Gandy threw the final 2 innings, striking out five and not allowing a hit to earn the save.
“We’re all friends, but it’s still fun (to beat Central),” Gandy said. “It’s a fun rivalry.”